Pipe organ and organ music in Poland as a part of world heritage

Abstract

The pipe organ, as a musical instrument and an important object of cultural heritage, has been gaining increasing interest from the international community in recent years. This paper aims at examining the possibilities of preserving organs and organ music in Poland in an international context. As part of the study, an analysis of UNESCO lists was conducted. Furthermore, the organ-building assets in Poland and tourist products developed on their basis (including cultural trails dedicated to organs and organ museums) were studied. Attention was also drawn to other sites and forms of the organ of possible interest to tourists, and to the functioning of organ festivals during the COVID-19 pandemic and virtual organ projects implemented in that period. In addition, public awareness concerning the organ in Poland and Europe as well as organ festivals and other associated tourist products was examined. Finally, actions aimed at preserving Poland’s organ heritage were proposed with reference to practices in other European countries. It was concluded that one of the possible ways to integrate the conservation of organ heritage is a comprehensive approach through the landscape. Organs and their music also form a part of the local landscape, both as landforms reminiscent of the instruments and as artistic installations and sounds, shaping a sense of local and regional identity. It is also very important to engage in cross-border cooperation (including an exchange of good practices) and educational projects with regard to the safeguarding of organ heritage.