Marek Skulimowski. Photo W.Kubik |
Former Polish diplomat Marek Skulimowski has been elected President and Executive Director of the US Kosciuszko Foundation, which promotes Polish-American academic and cultural contacts and exchanges.Skulimowski has previously served as Poland’s Deputy Consul General in New York and as a political counselor at the Polish embassy in Tel Aviv.
The Kosciuszko Foundation said in a statement that Skulimowski has for many years been involved in charity work for children in need, and for Polish schools in New York, as well as in efforts to reclaim Polish art looted by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Outlining his plans, Skulimowski said that next year the Kosciuszko Foundation will honour the man after whom it is named in a year-long series of events called: “For Your Freedom and Ours: A Tribute to Polish Heroes.”
Next year marks the bicentennial of the death of Tadeusz Kościuszko, a military leader who fought for both American and Polish independence. He is regarded as a hero in both countries. UNESCO declared 2017 “The Year of Kosciuszko”.
Kościuszko apart, the Foundation is planning a series of lectures, film screenings and presentations in tribute to such famous Poles as Marshal Józef Piłsudski, and World War II heroes Jan Karski, Captain Witold Pilecki and General Władysław Anders.
The Kościuszko Foundation grants up to USD 1 million annually in scholarships to Polish and American students.
Past recipients include the historian Norman Davies, Polish-American general Edward Rowny, US journalist Andrew Nagorski, the economist Leszek Balcerowicz, and sculptor Magdalena Abakanowicz. (mk/rg)
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