Ludwik Sobolewski,Presidentof the WarsawStock Exchange.Q: The farmer Minister of the Treasury and before that the head of the Securities and Exchange Commission observed that the Stock Exchange is not just an element of the Polish economy but represents Poland’s raison d’état. Isn’t that a burdening responsibility?A: It is, and quite great. The stock market is – on one hand – an essential component of the country’s economy. Suffice to say that the value of all listed companies exceeds 50% of Poland’s GDP. So the WSE does not only reflect the current condition of the Polish economy, it does not only register the country’s economic growth rate achieved but also co-generates this growth. On the other hand, there is the immense social aspect of the stock market since it bears on the life and life quality of all who have put their trust in it. >>

Professor Alicja Chybicka MD (head of the Department and Clinic of Paediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation, Oncology and Haematology at Wrocław Medical University in Wrocław): “I have been involved in science for 32 years. In my specific field, research success is tantamount to saving human life. I and my team have such success to our credit. Our success story entails saving the life of a child. That of a teen-age boy who was in the fourth stage of cancer, had gone through two transplants and was under palliative care. We saved his life after applying gene therapy. That scientific achievement of ours won an award at an international oncology congress. I felt proud as a Pole. With that achievement, we have outdistanced countries much better equipped financially for scientific research. >>

Ryszard Kaczorowski, the last Polish President-in-exile an émigrégovernment set up in France followingthe country’s defeat in 1939. It moved to London after Hitler’s invasion of France. Throughout communist rule the Polish government-in-exile was regardedas a symbol of the country’s lost independence. Ryszard Kaczorowski formally relinquished his post after former Solidarity leader Lech Wałęsa was elected President in 1990. Q: What does this award mean to you Mr President?A: I am honoured to have received this award in recognition of my patriotic activities. I value this prize very highly. Q: Why do you think it is necessary to promote patriotic postures at this moment in time? Why is it important to show to the younger generation that this is what matters the most? >>

Maciek Proliński talks to Urszula Dudziak abouther transatlantic career,her passion for travellingand her role in putting Poland on the map. Q: The 1973-85 period saw yourgreatest successes in the U.S. Whatare your memories of that time?A: I love music. I love musicians more than I love myself. It was a fantastic time. Together with Michał Urbaniak we appeared with the greatest of them all: Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock and the Weather Report. The audiences wouldn’t let us off the stage. >>

Mirosław Satora,President of thePRO OMNIBUS Foundation: “The distinction we have received will inspire our Foundation in its work for the good of our fine young charges, for the good of these musically and vocally talented young people because that is what we are primarily concerned with when organizing the annual Song Festival of Young Disabled People. May I thank our collaborators and friends for their commitment and support of our endeavours, and express gratitude to those many institutions thanks to which we can do our work. In fact, we should share this Honorary Pearl title received for cultivating social values with the Polish Business Club, the Polish Success Academy, the “Poland, Now” Promotional Emblem Foundation, the Ministries of Labour, Culture and National Heritage and of Internal Affairs and Administration as well as with companies and people of good will thanks to whom our fine kids have the chance to develop, travel and fulfil their dreams and ambitions.” >>

Andrzej Frajndt, vocalist in the Partita group and artistic director of the Song Festival of Young Disabled People in Ciechocinek:“35 years have passed since the first ever mixed vocal group was set up in Poland. Over the years, we were performing classic music and jazz as well as many, many songs; we were also frequently appearing at festivals. There were also many awards – most recently a diploma from the Minister of Culture and National Heritage – which we received for disseminating culture. But we were receiving these all for everyday work; yet the one we have received now has a special meaning for our vocal group because it has been awarded to us in recognition of our far- from-spectacular work for many years for the good of disabled children and young people. We are deeply moved”. >>