These posters were designed to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of the famous Romantic Polish composer Fryderyk Chopin. "Żal" is a Polish word with no direct English equivalent; it roughly translates to a feeling of deep sorrow or regret. Chopin experienced these feelings throughout his life, and the influence of this sentiment can be perceived in his work. "Żal" can also be seen as a characteristic of Poland itself, having endured a long history of loss and hardship.