Pianist Zimerman awarded Polonia Restituta
PR dla Zagranicy
John Beauchamp
22.09.2013 11:46
President Bronislaw Komorowski has awarded Krystian Zimerman with the Commander’s Cross – with star – of the Order of Poland Reborn.
Pianist Krystian Zimerman sheds a tear after receiving the Polonia Restituta order on 21.09.2013 in Warsaw. Photo: PAP/Radek Pietruszka
The pianist received the accolade on Saturday for the popularisation of Polish music across the globe as well as artistic achievement.
“I am cordially thankful that I can bestow this honour on a good ambassador of the beauty of Polish culture,” Komorowski said during the ceremony.
“I should come here with flowers to thank you and the nation which has done so much for me,” Zimerman said after receiving the award, adding that it comes on the 50th anniversary of his first piano lesson with Professor Andrzej Jasinski, who was present at the ceremony.
The ceremony, held in the Belweder Palace, was attended by former prime minister, Hanna Suchocka , culture minister Bogdan Zdrojewski, and Warsaw president Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz.
The conductor and artistic director of the National Philharmonic in Warsaw, Jacek Kasprzyk was also present. (jb)
Source: PAP/IAR