The fifth edition of POLONICUS is coming soon. The most prominent representatives of politics, culture, social and religious live are rewarded by the European Polish diaspora, and this reward is intended to express the aims of Polish emigration and to strengthen the integrity of ideals, values and beliefs. The POLONICUS statuettes (which are designed by Stanisław Szrobosz and are based on a concept of Wiesław Lewicki) are awarded to people who have greatly contributed to Polish diaspora, who support Polish-German cognition, conciliation and cooperation in various fields.
Once in a year, with respect to each other and its self-esteem, Polish diaspora comes to Aachen to address the authorities, which support noble aims and intentions, strengthening our position in common Europe. This is an extraordinary place and meeting. A pleiad of notables sits in the over millennial capital of the emperor Charles the Great, granting a deserved prestige to Poland, Germany and Europe.
Some of laureates of the previous edition of POLONICUS were: prof. Władysław Bartoszewski, prof. Jerzy Buzek, prof. Norman Davies, prof. Karl Dedecius, Krystyna Janda, abp. Alfons Nossol. It is a very important and significant event. There is a lot of candidates for the award, because there is a growing amount of prominent Poles and those who are respected by their kind attitude to Polish diaspora. Therefore, each person presented to the committee is considered carefully and deliberately, everyone who is worthy of this exceptional distinction.
Information that Andrzej Wajda will be honoured in 2013 was received with great satisfaction. This outstanding director has been praising our country for years by the magnitude of his works that express imperishable artistic and ideological values, and thus will be awarded with the Honorary Reward. Poles have been learning the history of their nation, bravery, dignity and lawfulness from theatrical performances and films directed by Wajda.
At the same time world has understood, that, quoting the Master of Polish Cinema: “the only fire that a man should experience, should be the fire of great emotions – love, gratitude and solidarity”. A vast picture of Poland, with all complexity of Polish history, is emerging from Wajda’s movies: catastrophies, downfalls, harms, battles and victories. Much has been said about his art, perhaps still not enough, that’s why this award will be an additional expression of respect and gratitude that lies within the hearts of Polish diaspora living in Germany. Presence of the outstanding Polish director will be a great honour for the Germans guests as well. Maria and Czesław Gołębiewscy, owners of the literary – artistic restaurant “Gdańsk”, were also invited to the Imperial Coronation Hall of Charles the Great. They will be awarded in category of organization of life of Polish diaspora. They are an interesting couple. They are both very well educated: a master of chemistry and an oceanographer, graduates of the University of Gdansk, they have the joy of life, sensitivity and youthful imagination. They draw attention of artists, arouse sympathy, develop ideas and connect Poles and Germans in mutual savouring of culture.
Since 2000 they work in this business with incomparable imagination, passion and incredible commitment. They organize scenic entertainment events, which are known in Germany, charity concerts, even the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity and various celebrations, also feasts and meetings with performances, concerts and recitals. Zbigniew Namysłowski, Jarek Śmietana, Helger Schneider and many others starred in their events.
Since 2005, when they have quadrupled the size of their restaurant, evening events have gained momentum and lured people from everywhere who seek artistic sensations, want to have a good time, or to experience spiritual revelations. Once someone visit “Gdańsk” he will be drawn there again, because it has an amazing and unique climate. It will inspire with Polishness, a sentiment to Gdańsk, and is also open and friendly to anyone who did not know the country on the other side of Odra river.
Gołębwiescy say: “Poland is inside of us, it’s the place where we come from and to which we eagerly go back. This is a lovely place, yet capricious and imperfect. We want it to belong to Europe the way it is, so it can mature and become wiser.
Basil Kerski, who is a longstanding editor-in-chief of DIALOG and since 2011 a director of Solidarity Centre in Gdańsk, is sentimental to Gdańsk. He was nominated to POLONICUS award for his contribution in creating a mutual trust and agreement between Poles and Germans and is and embodiment of both maturity and vigour of political thinking. His commitment in public matters, especially in strengthening the position of Poland in democratic European community and cultivating good relations with nations of Europe, is most impressive. In compliance with our historical values, he combines the recognition for contemporary achievements of Poles. For years he was professionally engaged in the analysis of political and cultural development of Poland and, what is important, he promotes our country, speaks of it with regard, with dignified patriotism, yet understood in modern standards, without sentimentality, but with concern for the future. Knowledge of both cultures: Polish and German, also national characters and vices, with the incredible curiosity, sensitivity and knowledge – are his assets. Let’s add his Middle East patience (he is a son if Iraqi doctor, who educated in Poland), his infatuation in Giedroyc and a plenitude of sensations of Polish Berliner to conclude that this is a conglomerate of impressive and unprecedented experiences.
Therefore Basil Kerski, a graduate of Free University of Berlin, is an exemplar for young Poles and Germans, an intellectual authority, who has grown on international arts and cannot see the ability to communicate or act without it. Communication is an accuracy and richness of language, and therefore an actual matter for Polish diaspora, a subject of discussion and still unresolved problems. Language is after all what makes a culture, as a coherent whole, which supports identity and like nothing else connects with country of ancestors.
Bilinguality and biculturality may stimulate the development of children on emigration. Thus it’s a welcomed fact, that today, when Polish studies must face against the challenges of reality, achievements of outstanding linguist PhD Władysław Miodunka are appreciated. He will be rewarded with POLONICUS award for his achievements in the cultural field. Professor is a director of Centre of Polish Language and Culture in the World – Faculty of Polish Studies at Jagiellonian University in Kraków.
He has particular merit in linguistic studies, which prepare for teaching of Polish language (mainly foreigners). He is one of the pioneers of Polish language teaching methodologies, a method which prepares for interdisciplinary learning of reading and writing. He is engaged in bilingualism, lexicology and lexicography. He published four monographs and several books, where one of them is popular among foreigners studying in our country and is titled “Hey, how are you? We will meet in Poland”. A candidacy worthy of highest recognition.
Aachen will be visited by known and respected indeed, whose attitudes, actions, talents and deeds are worthy of praise and appreciation. The originator and initiator of the ceremony, the President of European Institute of Culture and Media POLONICUS VoG Wiesław Lewicki, will re-awake emotions, induce afterthoughts and explain to his fellow countrymen the meaning of all hardships of emigration, confirm the Germans in belief that we are extraordinary people, significant in Europe, while POLONICUS with open wings to fly will persuade the youth (hopefully so!) to glide in the space of culture, art and science for the common good.
Photo © Institut Polonicus. The Imperial Coronation Hall of Charles the Great in Akwizgran.
Source: Institut Polonicus, Polonia Viva
