Lisbon

Witold Lutosławski planned his first trip to Portugal for a concert with his music in October 1969. He submitted his passport application suitably early, but in July 1968 the Department of Culture of the Central Committee of the Polish United Workers Party and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs refused him permission to travel. The reason was not linked to any reservations with regard to Lutosławski; quite simply, Poland had no diplomatic ties with Portugal at that time. They were not restored until 1974, subsequent to the so-called ‘Carnation Revolution’. Lutosławski then received permission to travel and conducted in Lisbon in 1976.

He also came here on holiday.