Krzyżowa, according to Jacobsen, does not run itself. Matthias von Hülsen’s youthful energy and enthusiasm carry the festival. He repeatedly succeeds in winning the support of the foreign ministers of Poland and Germany as patrons of the festival. The awarding of the Federal Cross of Merit on Ribbon to the founder and to Viviane Hagner was a wonderful gesture and more than deserved.

Football as recreation.
Violinist Niklas Liepe, a successful laureate of many competitions, has played in the Krzyżowa-Music festival twice as a Junior. He was just as fascinated by the historical background of the location as he was by the European ideal. Despite the many different languages, the language of music unites them. And a passion for football. After rehearsals, the goals are set up on the pitch in the centre of the estate. Football as compensation for the long hours of rehearsals: “Football is not so dissimilar to chamber music. We have to put together a functioning team. We have to anticipate what the others are going to do. We have to divide up the roles. Who is the striker? Midfield? Defence? Goalkeeper?” As a violinist, he would be more of a striker, but his talent, according to Liepe, is better suited as a right winger in midfield.

Audience
Lower Silesia as a new centre of European chamber music – who even knows about it? Who is coming? Who enjoys the rehearsals? Who drinks a glass of wine with the musicians in the evening, converses with them? Is there a loyal audience from the region? Or do the guests travel from far and wide to Lower Silesia? Ten years ago, says Matthias von Hülsen, they were amongst themselves, the chamber music lovers from Berlin, Hamburg, and the surrounding area. This has now changed, the halls are full, well over half of them filled with guests from the surrounding area. There is no money for advertising, but thanks to the tireless and voluntary efforts of Sven Sochaczewsky und Janusz Gregorowicz, all information finds its way onto the internet and into important publications. This year, the national broadcaster Radio Polskie will broadcast some of the concerts.

Sabine Richter travels to Krzyżowa every year together with her husband and friends from Berlin. She loves chamber music, is curious about the young, fresh interpretations, enjoys the evenings and the free time with the musicians. For her, three people are the good spirits of Krzyżowa: Matthias von Hülsen as the organiser, as a persistent, un-
wavering campaigner for sponsorship in Germany, the USA and Poland. Dorothy von Hülsen, who keeps the history of Kreisau alive, offers guided tours of the Berghaus and yet never puts her family history centre stage. And Viviane Hagner, who characterises the festival in a unique way as Artistic Director.

According to the founder of Krzyżowa-Music, the Krzyżowa cosmos is complex. The financing causes sleepless nights every year, he says, he is a pickpocket on behalf of culture, begging friends, companies, and foundations, and yet he manages the miracle every summer: Krzyżowa-Music takes place. Matthias von Hülsen raises half a million euros each year, grateful for every small and large donation. He is also grateful to all the helpers who work for a “thank you”.

When the first rehearsal begins, when the pianos have finally been tuned and all the artists and guests immerse themselves in the shared happiness of great music, then it unfolds and enchants – the spirit of Krzyżowa.

Maria Ossowski, after studying history and literature, worked as a reporter and editor in leading positions and now lives as a cultural journalist in Berlin.