When was Chopin's Birthday?

Today's birthday is an occasion celebrated in a group of loved ones, but back in the 19th century it happened that some people were not sure about the date of their birth.

In a letter to the Literary Society in Paris, Chopin declared that he was born on March 1, 1810. However, this is not the only date to be found in the documents.

The book of baptisms from the Brochów parish church, where the composer was baptized, records his birth on February 22, 1810. Both pieces of information are therefore consistent with regard to the year - 1810.

On the commemorative plaque dedicated to Chopin, placed on a pillar of the Warsaw Church of St. Cross, in which the musician's heart was deposited, is also recorded on February 22, 1810.

However, we have no doubts as to the date of the composer's death. Fryderyk Chopin passed away after a long illness on October 17, 1849 in Paris.

In his last moments, Chopin was accompanied by his beloved sister Ludwika Jędrzejewiczowa and friends, among them the painter Teofil Kwiatkowski, who portrayed his friend on his deathbed.

During the funeral ceremonies, the Requiem in D minor, written by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was performed in accordance with the deceased's will.

Today, can we unequivocally resolve the dilemma of when Chopin was born? In view of the contradictory information given by the sources, it is not possible. Therefore, every year, we celebrate the composer's birthday for a whole week: from February 22 to March 1!