Several hundred people gathered at the Royal Castle in Warsaw on 11 May to celebrate Professor Rottermund’s jubilee together. Speeches highlighted not only his immense contributions to Polish museology and art history, but also his remarkable personal qualities, wisdom and openness. Agata Wąsowska-Pawlik and Prof. Jacek Purchla also took part in the ceremony. Prof. Andrzej Rottermund was Chairman of the Programme Council of the ICC and has been involved in the activities of our institution for many years.
As an expert in modern and 19th-century art and an academic teacher, Professor Rottermund has mentored several generations of art historians and remains an undisputed scholarly authority in this field. Between 1964 and 1983 he was associated with the National Museum in Warsaw, where he served as deputy director from 1975. From 1991 to 2015, he headed the Royal Castle in Warsaw, to whose reconstruction and development he devoted a significant part of his professional life. Thanks to his determination, vision and consistency, the Royal Castle became one of the most important cultural institutions in Poland.
Professor Andrzej Rottermund also held a number of distinguished public and academic posts. Among other things, he served as president of the Association of Art Historians (1987–1991), Deputy Minister of Culture (1991), Chairman of the Polish National Committee of the International Council of Museums (ICOM) (1990–1996) and Chairman of the Polish National Commission for UNESCO (2011–2015).
For his work, he was awarded, amongst other honours, the Grand Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Commander’s Cross and the Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Gloria Artis Gold Medal for Merit to Culture, as well as the Award of the Capital City of Warsaw and the title of Honorary Citizen of the Capital City of Warsaw.
The team at the International Cultural Centre in Krakow wishes to express its deep gratitude for all the years during which the Professor has bestowed upon us his support, kindness and authority. We thank him for his perseverance and the immense amount of work he put into his role as Chairman of the ICC Programme Council, as well as for his long-standing commitment to the development of our institution since its inception. We also gratefully recall the Professor’s contribution to the teaching activities of the ICC Heritage Academy. The sharing of knowledge and experience by such an eminent expert was of immense value and inspiration to us all.
On the occasion of this anniversary, we once again extend our warmest wishes to Professor Andrzej Rottermund for good health, prosperity and many more years filled with activity, inspiration and satisfaction.