On Friday evening, August 30, the European Solidarity Centre hosted the fourth edition of the Freedom of Speech Medal Gala. The event is organized by the Grand Press Foundation. The Freedom of Speech Medals are awarded to promote wise words in the social sphere and the outstanding people who speak them. To promote mature public debate and to remind people that freedom of speech in Poland is not a given once and for all.
Freedom of Speech Medal 2024. Gala at the ECS in Gdańsk
This year the bar was raised very high and the jury had a tough nut to crack. The winners were selected by: Krzysztof Głuchowski (director of the J. Słowacki Theatre in Kraków), Prof. Ewa Łętowska (former ombudsman), Weronika Mirowska (president of the Grand Press Foundation), Piotr Świerczek (TVN 24 journalist) and Ewa Wrzosek (prosecutor, Association of Prosecutors “Lex super omnia”).
Medals were traditionally awarded in three categories: Media, Institution and Citizen.
In the Institution category, the following were indicated:
- Panoptykon Foundation – for patiently explaining that we must protect the right to privacy both from the state and its services, as well as from big tech.
- Pro Loquela Silesiana. Society for the Cultivation and Promotion of Silesian Speech – for fighting for freedom of speech in the Silesian language. For perseverance in strengthening the Silesian identity by taking care of the presence of the Silesian language in the public space.
- Watchdog Polska Citizens’ Network – for safeguarding the right to public information and for legal education of citizens.
There could only be one winner, namely Pro Loquela Silesiana. The Society for the Cultivation and Promotion of Silesian Speech. The medal was presented to the society’s representatives by the Marshal of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, Mieczysław Struk – a Kashubian, as he calls himself.
– We are aware that not only our association, but all Silesian circles that have been working for the benefit of Silesia for three and a half decades, that freedom of speech is not only the freedom of what you want to say, but also how you want to say it, therefore there is no point in saying shame in Silesian – he said on stage Rafał Adamus, president of the association.
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In the Media category, the following were nominated:
- Mariusz Gierszewski (Radio Zet) – for uncompromising and careful observation of power, regardless of who exercises it. For responsible implementation of the journalistic mission.
- Karolina Lewicka (Tok FM) – for intelligent, cool and consistent removal of the masks from politicians who try to hide their true intentions behind thick make-up of political lipstick. For bravely standing on the side of truth, and respect for the audience.
- Jacek Pałasiński – for standing guard over journalistic principles and the culture of expression. For proving that there is a place for mature journalism on the Internet – valuable conversations with intellectuals.
She received the medal Karolina Lewickaand he handed it over Basil Kerski, director of the European Solidarity Centre.
– I accepted the nomination itself with confusion, as well as the award. It seems to me that I am the beneficiary of a profession that is visible. My congratulations go to all those who, especially over the last eight years, fought for freedom of speech and democracy, as it were, alongside their professional lives, sacrificing their private time and life energy – she said from the stage Karolina Lewicka.
In the Citizen category the following were nominated:
- Danuta Wojciechowska and Jolanta Mokwińska – retirees from Siedlisko, a village in Lubuskie. For fighting for democracy and freedom of speech in their commune. They paid for it with their health, but they won against the former mayor, and gave the new one a T-shirt with the inscription “Transparency”.
- Anja Rubik – for her courageous use of freedom of speech, for which she was repeatedly attacked by right-wing circles. An activist working for women and fighting for access to sexual education for young people in Poland.
- Mateusz Rybak – 17-year-old resident of the Polish-Belarusian border. For dedicating himself to helping people on the road. He works alone, but shares his experiences and news from the border on social media.
The medal was awarded Anji Rubikand was presented to her by the mayors of the following cities: Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachimmayor of Sopot, Jacek Jaskowiakmayor of Poznań, Aleksandra KosiorekMayor of Gdynia, Aldona Machnowska-GoraVice President of Warsaw, Aleksander MiszalskiMayor of Krakow, Jacek Sutrykmayor of Wrocław, Tadeusz Truskolaskimayor of Białystok, Krzysztof WalkowDeputy Mayor of Darłowo and Aleksandra DulkiewiczMayor of Gdańsk.
Receiving the medal, Anja Rubik said she was moved and thanked the team of her foundation Sexed.pl
– Without them I wouldn’t be able to work so dynamically. Without them we wouldn’t be able to help so many people on a daily basis. Sex education has a huge impact on our social, emotional, mental and physical development. It is essential for our health and safety. For building relationships in respect and trust. Real sex education, adapted to age, should be a mandatory subject in every school. Because it teaches us how to be human. How to function safely in today’s world. A woman’s right to choose is the greatest test of a progressive and healthy society. I hope that we will finally be such a society. I hope that Polish women and Poles will no longer have to go out into the streets and fight for their dignity, health and safety and for decisions concerning their lives and their bodies.
SEE ALSO: Strikes and Journalists. When Solidarity Was Born in People
“Medalistka” invited two co-nominees to the stage. Especially high school student Mateusz Rybak, who helps immigrants crossing our eastern border, was intimidated by this situation.
At the end, the Special Medal of Freedom of Speech was awarded.
– For three years, our Special Medal of Freedom of Speech was awarded to people who were well-known and distinguished for Poland. We bow low to them. But this year we also want to bow to people who are equally distinguished, although less known – she said. Veronica Mirowska.
The medal was therefore awarded to the Civil Society in Poland. It was given to Ilona Michalak from Bydgoszcz, who during the PiS era went on strike alone in her city every day, demanding that the authorities apply the law.
The gala was hosted quite skillfully by Piotr Kraśko. And the artists who performed songs associated with freedom performed. Among others, Adam Nowak performed for the first time a song written to the words of Jacek Kaczmarski’s poem “Diagnoza”, Anna Karwan “Sen o Victoria” by the band Dżem, and Mateusz Ziółko pretended to sing “Biała flagę” by Republika.
