The Wrocław Award is a special distinction which – as one of three, along with the title of Civitate Wratislaviensi Donatus and the Mayor of Wrocław’s Award – was established by the resolution of 16 January 1993 of the Wrocław City Council of the 1st term. The Wrocław Award is granted by Wrocław City Council at the request of the Nominating Committee (until 2022, the Nominating Council) to individuals and institutions for their overall work benefiting the city. In the years 1993-2022, this unique distinction was awarded to 102 people and 35 institutions, organisations and associations. Nearly 40 people honoured with this award are deceased [as of 1 November 2022]. We would like to remind you who they were and where they rest.
Roman Aftanazy (02/04/1914-07/06/2004) – historian, librarian, employee of the University Library in Wrocław and long-time curator of the Library of the Ossoliński National Institute in Wrocław, author of the monumental monograph “Dzieje rezydencji na dawnych kresach Rzeczypospolitej” (“History of residences on the former borderlands of the Republic of Poland”). Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 1993.
Final resting place: Powązki Cemetary in Warsaw.
Stefan Arczyński (31/07/1916-28/08/2022) – a photographer associated with Wrocław since 1950, who immortalised post-war Wrocław and Lower Silesia, along with its historic and contemporary architecture and everyday life, in hundreds of thousands of photographs. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2000.
Final resting place: Cemetery of St. Lawrence at Odona Bujwida Street in Wrocław.
Janina Bogusławska-Jaworska (15/08/1930-23/04/2002) – pediatrician, professor of medical sciences, specialist in pediatric hematology and oncology, thanks to whom, in 1973, the largest pediatric hematology and oncology centre in Poland was established in Wrocław. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 1999.
Final resting place: Grabiszyński Cemetery in Wrocław [section 20, grave 670, row 1].
Anette Bußmann (20/03/1969-14/03/2011) – German opera singer, lawyer, long-time consul of the Federal Republic of Germany in Wrocław, initiator of the establishment of the Polish-German School of Law at the University of Wrocław, originator and organiser of cultural and educational initiatives for Polish-German rapprochement. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2011.
Final resting place: Wrocław.
Sylwester Chęciński (21/05/1930-08/12/2021) – screenwriter and film director, called the “painter of Polish characters”, who made many of his cult-following films – including the saga about the Kargul and Pawlak families – at the Wrocław Feature Film Studio. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2000.
Final resting place: Grabiszyński Cemetery in Wrocław [section 32, grave 295, row 13].
Ewa Czermak (27/12/1957-20/08/2015) – long-time soloist of the Wrocław Opera and professor of vocal studies at the Karol Lipiński Academy of Music in Wrocław, initiator of various artistic ventures and activist of many creative associations. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2015.
Final resting place: Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław [section 145AGU, grave 16].
Jerzy Czernik (05/06/1938-20/01/2010) – physician, pediatric surgeon, professor associated with the Medical Academy in Wrocław and rector of this university (1993-1999), creator of the first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Wrocław, national consultant in the field of pediatric surgery until 2008, president of the Polish Society of Pediatric Surgeons. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2008.
Final resting place: Grabiszyński Cemetery in Wrocław [section 12. grave 1077, row 4].
Rev. Adam Drwięga (1938-31/05/2018) – Catholic priest, apostolic protonotary, honorary canon of the Collegiate Chapter of the Holy Cross, chaplain of the Lower Silesian State Fire Service, pastor of craftsmen and long-time parish priest of the cathedral parish of St. Saint John the Baptist. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2014.
Final resting place: Cemetery of St. Lawrence at Odona Bujwida Street in Wrocław.
Józef Dudek (01/03/1939-13/09/2008) – mathematician, professor associated with the University of Wrocław, organiser of the famous “Professor Dudek’s Salon” weekly meetings, which have been held since 1996, during which topics in the field of science, culture, social and intellectual life were discussed. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2007.
Final resting place: Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław [section 79, grave 841, Honour Row].
Wojciech Dzieduszycki (1912-2008) – actor, singer, conductor, journalist, author of cabaret lyrics, cultural activist, music and theatre reviewer, and engineer involved in the opening of milling plants and the “Maria” mill in Wrocław, as well as in the establishment of the Lower Silesian Operetta and first- and second-degree music schools in Wrocław. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 1997.
Final resting place: Cemetery of St. Lawrence at Odona Bujwida Street in Wrocław.
Anna Hannowa (26/07/1925–25/11/2020) – theatrologist, journalist, academic teacher, organiser of Wrocław’s cultural life, author of publications related to Wrocław’s theatre life. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2013.
Final resting place: Grabiszyński Cemetery in Wrocław [section 41, grave 94B, row 3].
Czesław Hernas (12/07/1928-11/12/2003) – Polish philologist and folklorist, professor associated with the University of Wrocław, long-time director of the Institute of Polish Philology of the University of Wrocław, editor of many magazines, co-founder of the Independent Self-Governing Trade Union “Solidarity” University, involved in opposition activities, supporting independent movements and creators of the “second circulation” of culture. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2002.
Final resting place: Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław [section 138, grave 412, row 11. from section 140A].
Józef Kazimierz Jagielski (18/11/1934–13/03/2021) – physician, professor associated with the Silesian Piasts Medical University in Wrocław, co-founder of the electrocardiology and genetic research centre in Wrocław. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2019.
Final resting place: Parish cemetery of St. Maurice at ul. Działkowa in Wrocław (Skowronia Góra).
Paweł Jarodzki (01/05/1958-22/11/2021) – Wrocław painter and illustrator, professor associated with the Eugeniusz Geppert Academy of Fine Arts in Wrocław, author of textbooks and comics for children, in the 1980s leader of the “LuXuS” artistic group, long-time curator of the Awangarda Art Exhibition Office in Wrocław. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 1995.
Final resting place: Parish cemetery of St. Maurice at ul. Działkowa in Wrocław (Skowronia Góra).
Andrzej Jochelson (28/09/1911-27/11/1997) – lawyer, pioneer of Wrocław performing various administrative, social and political functions, propagator of Wrocław’s history and culture, author of the first post-war guide to Wrocław (1946). Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 1995.
Final resting place: Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław [section 79, grave 462, row 8. from section C].
Jan Kaczmarek (06/06/1945-14/11/2007) – satirist, singer and author of over two hundred song lyrics, columnist and radio journalist for many years associated with the Wrocław Polskie Radio station, one of the founders of the “Elita” sketch comedy group. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2003.
Final resting place: Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław [section 4, grave 1089, row 29 (2. from section 5)].
Jerzy Bogdan Kos (24/03/1931-09/10/2018) – physician associated with Wrocław, infectious diseases specialist, publicist, poet and prose writer, working for many years in the health service of the Trzebnica district, author and co-author of many books popularising knowledge about health and diseases. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2010.
Final resting place: Cemetery of St. Lawrence at Odona Bujwida Street in Wrocław.
Natalia Lach-Lachowicz (18/04/1937-12/08/2022) – intermedia artist and conceptualist associated with Wrocław since the mid-1950s, working under the artistic pseudonym “Natalia LL” and dealing with graphics and painting, performance, experimental film, video, photography and sculpture. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2007.
Final resting place: Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław.
Ryszard Lackner (24/12/1946-05/09/2006) – Division General of the Polish Army, rector-commandant of the Tadeusz Kościuszko Military University (currently Military University of Land Forces) in Wrocław (1991-2002), commander of the Silesian Military District (2004-2005), involved in Wrocław’s social affairs. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2006.
Final resting place: Cemetery of the Holy Spirit at Bardzka Street in Wrocław.
Józef Łukaszewicz (26/03/1927-26/08/2013) – mathematician, professor associated with the University of Wrocław and rector of this university during martial law, one of the founders of the Wrocław Catholic Intelligentsia Club, soldier of the Home Army during World War II. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2006.
Final resting place: Cemetery of the Holy Family at Smętna Street in Wrocław.
Fr. Jerzy Adam Marszałkowicz (19/01/1931-13/05/2019) – Catholic priest, initiator and co-founder of the St. Brother Albert Aid Society, librarian, English teacher, porter. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2016.
Final resting place: Cemetery of the Holy Family at Smętna Street in Wrocław.
Stanisław Miękisz (01/01/1927-15/08/2017) – professor of biophysics associated with Wrocław universities, anti-communist opposition activist, chairman of the Wrocław City Council of the 1st term (1990-1994), initiator of developing the Statute of Wrocław and establishing the Wrocław Science Council. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 1996.
Final resting place: Cemetery of St. Lawrence at Odona Bujwida Street in Wrocław.
Kornel Morawiecki (3/05/1941–30/09/2019) – physicist, academic teacher associated with the University of Wrocław and the Wrocław University of Science and Technology, activist of the democratic opposition during the Polish People’s Republic, founder and chairman of Fighting Solidarity, politician, deputy and senior marshal of Sejm of the 8th term. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2007.
Final resting place: Powązki Military Cemetery in Warsaw [plot A2 Honour Row].
Adam Nowotarski (26/06/1932-30/11/2020) – engineer, organiser of the chemical industry in Wrocław and Lower Silesia, long-time director of the Chemitex (Viscoplast) plant in Wrocław. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2015.
Final resting place: Grabiszyński Cemetery in Wrocław [section *G, grave 103, row 21].
Rev. Stanisław Orzechowski “Orzech” (7/11/1939-19/05/2021) – associated with the parish of St. Lawrence in Wrocław, prelate, pastor of workers of the Wrocław diocese, actively supporting anti-communist opposition activists, chaplain of the Wrocław “Solidarity”, organiser of walking pilgrimages, academic chaplain of the “Wawrzyny” UCC. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2005.
Final resting place: Cemetery of St. Lawrence at Odona Bujwida Street in Wrocław.
Jan Sarosiek (1929-2000) – botanist, professor associated with the University of Wrocław, director of the Institute of Botany, involved in ecology and nature conservation activities. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 1997.
Final resting place: Cemetery of St. Lawrence at Odona Bujwida Street in Wrocław.
Tomasz Skrzypek (17/05/1967-13/10/2019) – athlete and trainer, the first professional Polish kickboxing champion and the coach of the Polish national kickboxing team since 1997, co-founder of the Fighter Wrocław club. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2018.
Final resting place: Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław [section 25A, grave 31, row 2. from section 146].
Włodzimierz Szomański (8/11/1948-1/05/2014) – musician, singer, composer, teacher and arranger, founder and leader of the Wrocław music group Spirituals Singers Band. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2012.
Final resting place: Cemetery of St. Lawrence at Odona Bujwida Street in Wrocław.
Ewa Szumańska-Szmorlińska (20/05/1921-17/05/2011) – writer, reporter, film scriptwriter, author of popular radio plays and satirist associated with Wrocław; soldier of the Home Army and participant of the Warsaw Uprising, involved in opposition activities in the 1980s. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2001.
Final resting place: Cemetery of the Holy Spirit at Bardzka Street in Wrocław.
Piotr Szyber (1948-27/11/2020) – professor of medical sciences, transplant surgeon, long-time head of the Department of Vascular, General and Transplant Surgery at the Jan Mikulicz-Radecki University Clinical Hospital in Wrocław. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2020.
Final resting place: Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław [section 1, grave 87, row 20].
Zofia Teliga-Mertens (11/10/1926-27/09/2022) – agronomist, social and charity activist, as a Siberian deportee, she has been involved in the repatriation of Polish families from Kazakhstan for many years. Dame of the Order of the White Eagle. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2016.
Final resting place: Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław.
Wanda Tomaszewska (1908-2004) – social activist, doyen of the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association of the Lviv and Lower Silesian Banners, city guide and promoter of the history and tourism values of Wrocław. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 1994.
Final resting place: Wrocław.
Kazimierz Tumski (04/02/1931-22/01/2017) – pioneer and co-organiser of the tourism movement in Wrocław, long-time propagator of tourism knowledge, co-founder of the famous “Rzepiór” group of city guides, organiser of the first Wrocław Tourism Days. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2012.
Final resting place: Osobowicki Cemetery in Wrocław [section 91A, grave 100, row 5. from section 91].
Ewa Unger (1926-15/03/2020) – social and Catholic activist, involved in the activities of the Catholic Intelligentsia Club, co-founder of the Krzyżowa Foundation for Mutual Understanding in Europe. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 1994.
Final resting place: Wrocław.
Wojciech Wrzesiński (06/10/1934-02/07/2013) – historian, specialist in the history of Poland and of general history of the 19th and 20th centuries, professor associated with the University of Wrocław and rector of this university (1990-1995), president of the Polish Historical Society (1997-2003). Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2004.
Final resting place: Grabiszyński Cemetery in Wrocław [section 29, grave 322, row 9].
Józef Zadęzki (11/03/1929-15/02/2022) – lieutenant colonel of the Polish Army, sports shooter, the first Olympic gold medallist in the history of Wrocław sports, two-time Olympic champion in rapid-fire pistol shooting. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2015.
Final resting place: Wrocław.
Alicja Zawisza (20/05/1926-15/05/2012) – historian, co-founder of the Society of Wrocław Enthusiasts, long-time curator and documentalist of the life of the former Polish community in Wrocław, author of many scientific works and exhibitions related to the pre-war life of Poles in Wrocław. Honoured with the Wrocław Award in 2008.
Written and edited by: Kamilla Jasińska
Translated by: Fabryka Tłumaczeń
location data (numbers of sections rows and graves)
are given in accordance with the information provided by cemetery management