GMU Academic Choir to Perform at Expo 2025 in Osaka
In just two weeks’ time, the GMU Academic Choir will take part in the biggest and most important economic and cultural event in the world, Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The event was inaugurated on 13 April and will run until 13 October 2025.
The world exhibition is taking place on Yumeshima Island, which was built on the waters of Osaka Bay. The organisers of World Expo 2025 Osaka expect 170 participants, representing 161 countries and regions, as well as nine international organisations. The exhibition is expected to attract over 28 million visitors.
Speaking about the participation of the GMU Academic Choir in Expo 2025, HM The Rector of GMU, Professor Adam Weintrit, recalled that this is the second time this year that GMU representatives will take part in events as part of the EXPO World Exhibitions:
I am extremely pleased with the participation of our University’s choir in such an important economic and cultural event as Expo 2025 in Osaka. It is an outstanding distinction and an honour for us to be able to represent our country on the main stage of the Polish Pavilion, and to contribute to the celebration of Poland Day with our choir’s performance, which was planned with the participation of representatives of the Polish and Japanese authorities.
It is worth noting that this will be the second time our University takes part in an event as part of this year’s World Expo in Osaka. In July, representatives of the GMU Maritime Institute participated in Sea Day, during which a cooperation agreement was signed between Gdynia Maritime University and the Faculty of Maritime Sciences of Kobe University.
Continuing on the topic of the events during which the University’s Choir will perform, HM The Rector commented:
This event is not only an excellent opportunity to promote Polish culture worldwide but also to showcase Polish universities, of which Gdynia Maritime University is a perfect example. During their studies, students can successfully pursue their extracurricular interests — and do so at a very high, international level.
The Academic Choir of the University is based in Gdynia — a city that is especially linked to the sea economically and to film culturally. For this reason, during its concerts at EXPO 2025, between 26 September and 1 October, the GMU Academic Choir, conducted by Dr Karol Hill, will also present new arrangements of Polish film music. The choir’s performances will take place in parallel with the 50th Polish Film Festival, which will be held in Poland at the same time.
On the topic of GMU Academic Choir’s preparations, repertoire, and the scale of the event, commented its conductor, Dr Karol Hilla:
For me, as the conductor, and for the entire ensemble, this is a major undertaking. Preparing for the concerts at Expo has involved months of work, starting with selecting the programme, then creating scores for new a cappella arrangements of Polish film music. This task was taken on by two talented and award-winning young composers: Anna Rocławska-Musiałczyk and Mikołaj Gąsiewski. The next stage was several months of rehearsals to get the choir ready for the performances. It’s certainly a big project, and we hope our concerts will be warmly received by the EXPO audience.
A Faculty of Electrical Engineering student, who is also a member of the GMU Choir, also commented on the opportunity to represent the University in Japan:
This year, we have the opportunity to represent our University in Japan at Expo 2025. It’s going to be an incredible adventure and an amazing experience to represent our country and our institution at such a major event.
The trip of the GMU Academic Choir to EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai has been co-financed by the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage from the Culture Promotion Fund. Financial support has also been provided by:
The Choir’s official partner for the event is the Polish-Japanese Society for Cultural Exchange.
Visit the GMU Academic Choir webpage or Facebook for more information.
