2026: The Year of Andrzej Wajda

The outstanding Polish film, theater, and television director, as well as a member of the MCK Program Council and a great friend of our institution, has become one of the patrons of the year 2026. 

On the 100th anniversary of his birth and the 10th anniversary of his death, the Senate declared 2026 the Year of Andrzej Wajda. The filmmaker, who received the most prestigious film awards, including an Oscar from the American Film Academy, the Palme d'Or at Cannes, the Golden Lion at Venice, the Golden Bear at Berlin, the British BAFTA, the César and the Felix for lifetime achievement, was closely associated with Krakow and had a significant influence on the cultural life of the city.

After Andrzej Wajda received another award in 1987, the Kyoto Prize, he and Krystyna Zachwatowicz decided to donate it to the creation of the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology in Krakow. For these achievements, in 1995 they were jointly awarded the Silver Medal of Cracoviae Merenti, and in 2011 the Award of the City of Krakow.

Andrzej Wajda at the ICC

Andrzej Wajda was also a frequent guest and friend of the ICC. He was a member of our institution's Program Council from its inception until his death in 2016. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the ICC, it published a “Jubilee Book” – one of the texts was written by the famous director himself. This is what Prof. Jacek Purchla said about him in his laudation delivered at a ceremonial scientific session on the occasion of Andrzej Wajda's 90th birthday at the Collegium Novum of the Jagiellonian University:

"For decades, Andrzej Wajda has shaped the identity of Poles through his films. At the same time, through his visions and spatial creations, he has left a lasting mark on the identity of Krakow. Thanks to Andrzej Wajda, his Krakow is the same today, but different, because it is enriched by places selflessly directed by the Master. Wajda proved to Krakow that even today, the city can be understood as a creation – understood as a living work of art. With his imagination and determination, he showed that this does not have to be just an illusion of film”.

The director’s public activity and awards

Andrzej Wajda was also a distinguished educator. In 2002, on his initiative, the Master School of Film Directing was established. He was also the head of Film Team X, president of the Polish Filmmakers Association (1978–1982), chaired the Council for Culture under President Lech Wałęsa, and was also a senator during the first term. He was honored with the Order of the White Eagle, the Commander of the French Legion of Honor, the Grand Cross of Merit of Germany, and the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise.

This is how Andrzej Wajda described the new look of the ICC after the renovation of our headquarters in 2007-2008: