The actor received the prize by MFA Secretary of State Ignacy Niemczycki and Minister Delegate for European Affairs of the French Republic Benjamin Haddad.

The laureate chosen by a Polish-French committee was decorated for outstanding artistic accomplishments and his consistence in building bridges between Poland and France through cultural and public activity.

About the Prize

The Bronisław Geremek Prize is a token of appreciation for individuals of special merit for enhanced dialogue and cooperation between Poland and France based on common values and centuries-old bonds between the two nations. Establishment of the award is consistent with the spirit of the Treaty of Nancy—signed on 9 May 2025 and in force since 22 January 2026—which marked a new stage in the bilateral relations.

The first recipient of the prize is Andrzej Seweryn—an actor and longstanding member of the famous Comédie-Française, which has been run uninterruptedly since 1680—who has been contributing significantly to the Polish-French cultural relations for decades. Andrzej Seweryn is a symbol of successfully building bridges between the two countries.

Bronisław Geremek

The patron of the award, prof. Bronisław Geremek, was one of the architects of Poland’s European policy, a proponent of dialogue and reconciliation in Europe, and a minister of foreign affairs during Poland’s accession to NATO. His legacy and stance serve as a point of reference for contemporary international cooperation, especially in security context.

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More about the Polish-French intergovernmental summit in Gdańsk: Gdańsk Intergovernmental Summit: Deputy Minister Niemczycki talks international affairs - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland - Gov.pl website