Hubert Pielas, Kancelaria Senatu
Political prisoner journalist Andrzej Poczobut has been awarded the Andrzej Wajda Prize. The award ceremony took place on Friday in Kraków during the inauguration of the Year of Andrzej Wajda on the 100th anniversary of the Polish film director’s birth, the Belarusian Association of Journalists (BAJ) noted.
By decision of the Senate of Poland, Wajda was named the patron of 2026.
The prize was presented by the Speaker of the upper house of the Polish parliament, Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.
“During the ceremony Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska presented the Andrzej Wajda Prize to Danuta Wałęsa (the wife of former Polish president Lech Wałęsa — ed.) and Andrzej Poczobut. They received the awards for their work in the spirit of social solidarity, dialogue and care for the community — values especially dear to the director.
The decision emphasized that Danuta Wałęsa is ‘a symbol of strength, courage and quiet determination in the face of historical challenges,’ while Andrzej Poczobut ‘for many years has been a symbol of the unwavering struggle for truth, human rights and freedom of speech,’” the Senate of Poland said in a statement.
The prize on behalf of Andrzej Poczobut was accepted by his daughter Jana.
The Andrzej Wajda Prize has been awarded since 2018. It was established by the Kyoto-Kraków Foundation of Andrzej Wajda and Krystyna Zachwatowicz. The prize is awarded for outstanding work in the spirit of social solidarity. It is granted to individuals or organizations for social activities that have a positive impact on society.