Jazz star Dudziak named UNESCO Artist for Peace

Polish jazz singer Urszula Dudziak with Deputy Foreign Minister Artur Nowak-Far. Photo: msz.gov.pl

A letter from UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova was presented to the artist by Deputy Foreign Minister Artur Nowak-Far over the weekend.

''This beautiful award perfectly corresponds with the idea that peace and reconciliation need to be built from scratch, which is so close to my heart,” Dudziak said.

“It will motivate me to continue my mission and spread the message that the power of life is crucial to all of us, at every stage and every moment of our lives.”

Deputy Minister Nowak-Far commented that ''we are happy that your outstanding professional achievements, which contribute to promoting Polish culture, have been recognised on the international stage.''

Dudziak's jazz career got off the ground in the late 1950s, when she began working with Krzysztof Komeda, best known for his haunting soundtrack for Roman Polanski's movie Rosemary's Baby (1968).

She spent part of the 1970s and 1980s in the United States, but returned to Poland in 1985.

Dudziak has worked with such jazz legends as Bobbie McFerrin, Herbie Hancock and Dizzy Gillespie.

Other UNESCO Artists for Peace include British singer Shirley Bassey, Iraqi-born architect Zaha Hadid and Chinese actress Gong Li.

The honour is intended to heighten public awareness of issues championed by UNESCO. (nh)

Source: msz.gov.pl