On May 6, 2025 the Embassy of the Republic of Poland and the Polish Institute in Tel Aviv organized a ceremonial evening to commemorate the anniversary of the adoption of the May 3rd Constitution and the Polish Armed Forces Day. The event was held at the Charles Bronfman Auditorium and Cultural Center in Tel Aviv, one of the most prestigious musical venues in Israel.

By special invitation from the Polish Institute, the evening was graced by a concert performed by the trio of acclaimed Israeli pianist, composer, and vocalist Guy Mintus. The artists presented jazz arrangements titled “Reimagining Chopin”, created as a tribute to the legendary Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin. Israeli artist Guy Mintus is a recipient of the renowned Leonard Bernstein Award and the Audience Award at the Montreux Jazz Festival. His work blends classical virtuosity with jazz improvisation, and the energy of world music and rock. He was accompanied on stage by double bassist Oren Hardy and drummer Yonatan Rosen – together they created modern, unique and expressive interpretations of Chopin’s music.

The concert served as an artistic reference to the upcoming 19th International Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition – one of the most prestigious classical music events in the world, which will take place in October 2025 in Warsaw. Among the invited guests were the Israeli Minister of Education Mr. Yoav Kisch, ambassadors, members of the diplomatic corps, and special guests of the Polish Institute, representing long-time partners of the Institute as well as educational, artistic and cultural communities.

A particularly noteworthy moment was the presence of Mr. Stanisław Witold Aronson, who celebrated his 100th birthday that day. Known by the pseudonym “Rysiek,” he served in the Home Army with the rank of second lieutenant, participated in the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, and was an officer in General Anders’ army. After the Second World War, he served as a lieutenant colonel in the Israel Defense Forces. For years, he has been involved in commemorating the contributions of Poles in rescuing Polish Jews and in promoting the memory of his fellow soldier comrades. He led the effort to place a plaque at the former Umschlagplatz honoring the participation of Polish Jews in the Warsaw Uprising. He spoke of his ties to Poland in the following words:

“I was a Polish boy! Today, when I say this to people in Israel, it’s hard for them to understand. I was raised in the spirit of Polish patriotism. My family held Piłsudski-style views. Although I was only ten years old in 1935, I remember clearly how deeply everyone in our home in Łódź mourned the Marshal’s death. Poland was my homeland. It was something obvious to me, and that’s why I joined the underground without hesitation.”