During the past months serious discussions have been going on about several cities. It became clear that team in Krakow has the best readiness and ability to organize the next Event in 2010. There are other European candidates like London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Venice etc. but their turn will come, if we will continue with the Event tradition also in the future.

Poland is a very special country for Leonard - fans in Poland (and Norway) have been most loyal during the years, and Leonard has been some kind of cult figure in the country. And still is - I witnessed it in Warsaw this year!

We know that Leonard’s concert in Warsaw in 1985 was more than just a concert - many Poles took it as a political manifestation (read http://www.leonardcohenfiles.com/warsaw85.html).

Leonard’s songs are very well known in Poland - also thanks to Maciej Zembaty’s translations and his countless albums and live concerts of Leonard’s songs. Recently Pawel Orkisz released a 2CD tribute album in Krakow; I’m happy to see his name listed in the team.

Finally, probably the very first festival dedicated to Cohen took place in Krakow.
The book “Prophet of the heart” by Dorman & Rawlins has something about the festival, we have to check what exactly; however they mention incorrectly that it is an annual happening. Two, three years ago there was another Cohen celebration and concert at a local cultural festival.
Now we will go back to the roots!

The Event in Krakow also gives foreign participants chance to see some important places near the city. The museum of the Auschwitz concentration camp is an important monument of human madness at its very worst. I also recommend a visit to the Wieliczka salt mine with its underground world where everything is made of salt.

Cracow has also excellent communications by air, train, or road from most European countries - and it’s a wonderful city!

I am happy and proud to announce officially that the 2010 Leonard Cohen Event will be in Krakow.