This year's laureate of the Lech Kaczyński Award is Andrzej Gwiazda, legendary anti-communist opposition activist, co-founder of the Free Trade Unions of the Coast and the Solidarity Trade Union, knight of the Order of the White Eagle.

- As a matter of fact, the whole life of Mr Andrzej Gwiazdy and his wife Joanna, who accompanied him through this life, is a striving for a free, sovereign Poland, the Poland of truth. And this is what President Lech Kaczyński valued so highly," said President Andrzej Duda. - He was not only someone whom President Lech Kaczyński considered as his old friend, but he was someone whom the President surely considered as a model of a man, a steadfast patriot - said the President.

Andrzej Gwiazda recalled that Lech Kaczyński, whenever there were people willing to cooperate, risking his already serious position, joining the independent activity, risked being fired from work, or having his scientific process closed. - This was more serious than repressions such as 24 hours in the hole or imprisonment - he noted.

The gala was also attended by the Marshals of the Sejm Marek Kuchciński and the Senate Stanisław Karczewski, the President of the Law and Justice party Jarosław Kaczyński and Lech Kaczyński's daughter Marta Kaczyńska.

The Lech Kaczyński Award is given to outstanding individuals who serve the Polish nation well. Previous winners include: President Andrzej Duda, Krzysztof Wyszkowski, Prof. Krzysztof Szwagrzyk, Zofia Romaszewska, Władysław Stasiak.

Photo: Andrzej Hrehorowicz, KPRP