“Outstanding Pole” is an initiative of the Polish Promotional Emblem Foundation Teraz Polska, whose main objective is to create a positive image of Poles, to show their achievements and to highlight and promote those who have been able to succeed at home and abroad. The Scottish version of this contest was organised by Pangea Network Scotland under the patronage of the Teraz Polska Foundation and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh.
The gala was hosted by Kinga Plich – the President of Pangea Network Scotland and the Editor-in-chief of “Pangea Magazine”, and Gregory Fryc – the President of Pangea Network USA. Although the gala was carried on in English, for that night the George Hotel became the most Polish spot in Edinburgh.
One hundred and forty guests attending the event, including: Dariusz Adler, the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh; Bailie Robert Aldridge; Andrzej Czernek, the CEO of Teraz Polska Foundation; Rita Cosby, one of the USA’s leading journalists; Tomaczek Bednarek, a music producer in the USA; Marek Karewicz, an outstanding artist- photographer; and Krystyna Szumelukowa, a board member of the Wojtek Memorial Trust.
The ceremony’s opening was enhanced by the speeches of Dariusz Adler, Bailie Robert Aldrige (on behalf of the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Donald Wilson), Michał Lipiński (on behalf of the “Teraz Polska” Foundation) and Rita Cosby.
Andrzej Czernek, the CEO of Teraz Polska Foundation and Michał Lipiński, the Director of the Foundation, presented the prestigious statuettes to the winners. Winners were: Izabella Brodzińska (Culture Category), Albert Fret (Business Category), Dr Piotr Jaworski (Science Category), Maria Kozłowska (Personality Category) and Oliwia Nastałek (“Young Pole” Category). The jury also gave two Distinctions: Science Category to Dr Maja Piecyk, and Personality Category to Mirosław Pawlicki.
In the second part of the evening there was a lottery and art auction hosted by Tomaczek Bednarek. This raised £1740 which was donated to the Wojtek Memorial Trust, towards the cost of building the monument of Wojtek, The Bear, an animal hero from Monte Cassino.
The ceremony closed with a performance by the outstanding duet – Simon Thacker, a guitar virtuoso and Justyna Jabłońska, an extraordinary cellist.
Organisers would like to thank the Consul General of the Republic of Poland in Edinburgh and the companies: Steedman & Company, Accountants and Tax Advisers, Emito.net, Przesyłarka.pl, Esteem Beauty and England.pl for their financial support of the event.
Author: Justyna Golędzinowska /Pangea Magazine
Photos © Tomek Emigrant