2025’s Ephemera’s opening night takes place in the main foyer of Teatr Wielki, decorated with set designs from the theatre’s past opera productions. Embracing the atmosphere of dusk on one of the year’s longest days are Danish sound artist Sofie Birch and Polish singer Antonina Nowacka, for the first time presenting music from their new upcoming album Hiraeth, recorded in the hills of Sokołowsko. Next, Miłosz Kędra and his handmade organ, built from pipes reclaimed from temples across the Greater Poland region. The instrument, steeped in sacral tradition, will be transformed and released from its liturgical context. Its new life – raw, minimalist, and based on bespoke tuning – will flourish on the threshold between the corporeal and the ephemeral. The sonic fairytale continues with US-based duo LEYA, made up of harpist Marilu Donovan and vocalist/violinist Adam Markiewicz, blending medieval music with classical, pop and the avant garde. Following the concerts, audience members will collectively consume an edible installation full of rare gemstones and talismans by Pola Sutryk. We’ll also be drinking from the fountain of youth.

The co-organizer of the event is BMW.

Sofie Birch & Antonina Nowacka present Hiraeth is presented in collaboration with SHAPE+ – a platform for innovative music and interdisciplinary art, co-funded by the European Union and Pro Helvetia.