Edward Dębicki
Edward Dębicki is a composer, writer, poet, and virtuoso accordionist who has been actively promoting Romani culture in Poland and worldwide for over 70 years. His exceptional work has been recognized by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage, who honored him with the Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis, the highest distinction awarded to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to artistic creation.
Edward Dębicki is also an Honorary Citizen of the City of Gorzów Wielkopolski and the Lubusz Voivodeship.
Since 1955, Edward Dębicki has composed countless pieces performed by soloists, Romani ensembles, and stars of the Polish music scene. His song “Go Your Own Way”, with lyrics by Jonasz Kofta and performed by Edyta Geppert, won the Grand Prix at the Opole Festival in 1995. The composer has received numerous awards at national and international festivals, and his music is present in the repertoire of many artists, including in cinema.
Dębicki is also the founder and artistic director of the “International Meetings of Gypsy Ensembles Romane Dyvesa” (“Gypsy Days”), which have been held since 1989. His body of work includes nearly 200 songs, numerous stage productions, and film scores for movies such as “Before the Leaves Fall”, “Singing After the Dew” (dir. Władysław Ślesicki), “The River of Lies” (dir. Jan Łomnicki), and “Heads or Tails” (dir. Ryszard Filipski). Edward Dębicki is also the author of the script and music for the television production “Papusza’s Gypsy Songs”, directed by Grzegorz Dubowski.
Beyond his musical achievements, Dębicki is also a writer. In 1993, he published a poetry collection titled “Under the Open Sky”. In 2004, he released the book “The Bird of the Dead”, which tells the tragic story of Romani families in Volhynia during World War II. In 2012, he published the second part of this book, titled “Yesterday’s Fire”.
Edward Dębicki remains one of the most outstanding representatives of Romani culture in Poland and the world. His work has had an immeasurable impact on the popularization of Romani music, poetry, and art.