Poland to award one million euro 'Solidarity Prize'

The prize will be given annually to someone "who is fighting for freedom today," Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, who initiated the idea, told reporters on Wednesday.

The prize will include a study trip to Poland to observe the transformations in the country since the fall of communism following elections on 4 June 1989, which led to the first democratically elected government in Poland since before the outbreak of WWII.

The Solidarity Prize will be given to someone "who is guided by the principles of interpersonal and international solidarity" and who makes "a visible and real contribution to the introduction, strengthening or defense of democracy," the Foreign Ministry has said.

The majority of the one million euros will be given to aid projects linked to the work of the prize winner.

The award will also "strengthen the image of Poland abroad as a country involved in promoting democratic values ​​in the world," the ministry adds.

Poland will be pulling out all the stops on 4 June this year, on what President Komorowski's spokesman, Jacek Michalowsk, said will be "the most important anniversary in the past 25 years".

Invitations have been given out to world leaders, including US president Barack Obama to attend events on 4 June in Warsaw, though it is currently unknown whether he will be able to accept the invitation. (pg)

source: PAP