The title of Polish Ambassador has been awarded for 17 years people and institutions with outstanding merits in promoting beautiful, correct and ethical Polish. The winners are chosen by a chapter composed of members of the Council of Polish Language at the Presidium of the Polish Academy of Sciences.
This year, Mariusz Szczygieł was awarded the highest honor – the title of the Grand Ambassador of Poland. The key area of his activity is literary reportage, and the books devoted to Czech culture occupy a peculiar place in his work. Szczygieł is 1 of the most recognizable popularizers of Czech thinking, humor and doctrine of everyday life in Poland.
"The message I would like to convey concerns the intellectual and social impact of words. We call the planet – either good or bad – in words. And I think that not so crucial is the correctness itself, it is important, (...) but I would urge you to usage words cautiously and to usage them with thought – not to hurt, not to make bad energy. Especially on the net it is worth to think before writing something – said Szczygieł while receiving the award.
Its achievements include widely commented and rewarded publications. For the book “No” the author received the Nike and Nike Readers Literary Award in 2019. global success brought him “Gottland”, the winner of the European Literary Award and bestseller in many countries. They besides value “Make a Paradise”, devoted to the Czech mentality and many reports awarded, among others, with Grand Press.
Joanna Danikowska-Paź, “Stiff” and Marta Kula Ambassadors of Poland
The Ambassador of Polszczyzna in Pisces was Hubert Dobachewski "Stiff", besides known as vocalist of the Lao Che band. The artist is an author of song lyrics that have gained broad appreciation for the first language, metaphorics and ability to combine past with contemporary narrative. In 2012 he received the Silver Cross of Merit for "activity to popularize and commemorate the Warsaw Uprising" from president Bronisław Komorowski.
Joanna Danikowska-Paź became Ambassador to the Polish Speech. writer and tv presenter she is an active popularizer of the culture of the surviving word, and besides known for her work to form correct, conscious communication in public space. “It is simply a model of SWER (Standard of Estradowa and Radioowa Speech – PAP) in terms of speech,” stressed Dr. Katarzyna Kłosińska, president of the Council of Polish Language.
The title of Young Polish Ambassador (up to 35 years old) was awarded to musician and radio writer Marcie Kula. – Radio writer 357, which speaks not only beautifully but besides entertaining, with respect for the listener," explained Kłosińska.
The honour of the Ambassador of Regional Polszczyzna received the Zamoyski Museum in Kozlowka. This institution has been active in exhibition and educational activities for years, documenting and promoting the cultural heritage of the region. “The museum is preparing short videos in which it presents a beautiful bijgoraj bustle from Lublin”, added the president.
The title of Polish Ambassador outside the borders of the country, awarded – after consulting the chapter – by the Marshal of the Senate, received a literary student Prof. Dr. Andrea Ceccherelli. The Italian celebrity has been engaged in Polish literature for years, translating and popularizing it in academic circles and among abroad readers. His work contributes to strengthening the position of Polish people in the global technological and literary circulation.
In the category of Ambassador of Polish Children and Youth Literature awarded by the Krystyna Bochenek Foundation was Justyna Bednarek. The author of over 51 popular books for the youngest readers, including a series about socks, valued for creativity, humor and exceptional care for language.
Ambassadors of the Republic of Poland indicated for 17 years
The first gala of the Polish Ambassador was held on 10 November 2008 in Katowice. At that time, the author Tadeusz Konwicki became the large ambassador of Polszczyzna. In subsequent years, the winners besides included Krystyna Bochenek, Tadeusz Różewicz, Wiesław Myśliwski, Jacek Bocheński, Olga Tokarczuk and Ewa Lipska.
Among the another winners were Archbishop Tadeusz Gocłowski, prof. Andrzej Szczeklik, Bartek Chaciński, Danuta Szaflarska, Jacek Dehnel, Anna Dymna, Wojciech Młynarski, Andrzej Stasiuk, Andrzej Podzielski, Hanna Krall and Jerzy Stuhr.
In accordance with the rules of the Chapter, persons awarded the title of the Grand Ambassador of Poland and the titles of the Ambassador of Poland receive financial awards, as well as diplomas and statuettes or medals. The full prize pool is PLN 64 thousand, with the prize for the winner of the title of the Grand Ambassador of Poland being PLN 20 thousand.
The Polish Ambassador's competition is held all 2 years; due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the next edition was only held in 2021, which was besides the last year of awards – in 2023 the gala was not organized.
The organizers of the cyclical task of the Polish Ambassador are Katowice Local Government, Katowice City of Gardens – Krystyna Bochenek Cultural Institution, Krystyna Bochenek Foundation and the Council of Polish Language at the Bureau of the Polish Academy of Sciences. The institution supporting the task is the legislature of the Republic of Poland.
