She will be buried in the National Pantheon, located in the crypts of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, alongside her husband, world-renowned composer Krzysztof Penderecki, who was buried there five years ago.
Penderecka, who died suddenly in Warsaw on October 31 at age 78, played a key role in Poland’s cultural life for several decades, beginning in the mid-1960s after marrying the composer.
She first managed her husband’s office before establishing herself as a driving force behind major musical events in Poland.
Among her most notable achievements were founding the annual Beethoven Easter Festival, which since 1997 has brought leading international orchestras, conductors and soloists to Poland, and creating the Beethoven Academy Orchestra, made up of top students and graduates of the Kraków Music Academy.
In 2002, Penderecka received the European Cultural Prize for her contributions as “Poland’s ambassador in opening the European Union to the East.”
Her honours also included the Commander's Cross with Star of the Polonia Restituta Order, as well as high state distinctions from Germany, Lithuania and Finland.
(mk/gs)