Stars Shone at the Marshal’s Charity Ball
More than 500 guests attended the 14th edition of the Marshal’s Charity Ball. Among them was a strong group of film stars, led by Ewa Kasprzyk and Katarzyna Figura, who donated personal memorabilia for the charity auction.
The Ball, held on Saturday evening at the CKK Jordanki in Toruń, brought together people from culture, science, sport, politics and business. This year, the film industry was particularly well represented. The spotlight was on well-known actresses Ewa Kasprzyk, Katarzyna Figura, Magdalena Czerwińska, Katarzyna Pośpiech and Zuzanna Grabowska, who has also made her directing debut. Her film “Droga rzadziej przemierzana” (“The Road Less Traveled”), shot mainly in Górzno and Szubin with support from the Kujawy Pomorze Film Fund, will premiere soon. The “film table” also included popular actors Cezary Łukaszewicz and Rafał Mohr. Among the many guests of Marshal Piotr Całbecki and his wife Dagna was also Wojciech Gostomczyk, producer of Wojciech Smarzowski’s latest film “Dom dobry” (“A Good Home”), co-financed by the Kujawy Pomorze Film Fund.
The cinema stars did not come to Toruń empty-handed. Actors and actresses donated personal items for auction to support the charitable purpose of the Ball.
Katarzyna Figura donated jewellery and film memorabilia. – I donated wonderful posters designed by Andrzej Pągowski for my recent films: “Chrzciny” by Jakub Skoczeń and “Jestem” by Cezary Orłowski. Both films were shown in Toruń and won awards, – said the actress.
– I donated a book I wrote quite some time ago with Maciek Kędziak, titled “Mił.ość – meaning love, with a little bit of “thorn” in it. My dedication for the auction winner is that I wish them love without thorns, – said Ewa Kasprzyk. – I’m happy I’ll be dancing the polonaise, because I’m a big fan of classical dances. I can’t wait for the fun, which is combined with a noble cause.
– I’m always happy when I return to Toruń. So I combine this Ball with a visit to my hometown and a noble purpose. I donated two tickets to the latest show “Tylko miłość” (“Only Love”), in which I perform, right here at Jordanki, – said Magdalena Czerwińska. – In addition, the winner will be able to meet me.
– I donated a limited-edition hoodie from the film “Druga Furioza” (“The Second Furioza”). We received these hoodies in one of the scenes, many people wanted to have them, so I thought it would be a good contribution, – said Cezary Łukaszewicz.
The winner of one of the auctions will spend a day on the film set with director Wojciech Smarzowski.
The final amount raised at Saturday’s Ball will be announced by the end of January. The main auction brought in PLN 311,000. Jerzy Kossak’s painting “Young Man on a Horse” was auctioned for PLN 59,000, while the “cat in a bag” – one of three surprise items – was sold for PLN 25,000. Inside was… żurek (traditional sour rye soup).
The silent auction raised PLN 200,000. The cufflinks donated by Prime Minister Donald Tusk were bid up 17 times and ultimately reached PLN 9,000. Seventeen people wanted a beautifully published edition of Andersen’s Fairy Tales, which achieved the highest amount in that auction – PLN 42,000. There was also a film-related highlight: a Ćmielów ceramic donkey donated by renowned director Jerzy Skolimowski was sold for as much as PLN 30,000.
Proceeds from the Ball’s auctions will support three main beneficiaries:
- Serce Torunia Association – supports people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of social exclusion
- Trisomiaki Foundation (Łochowo) – works for children, young people and adults with disabilities
- Special Educational Centre of the Orionist Sisters in Włocławek – provides care and education for children and youth with various disabilities
Support will also go to institutions that benefited from previous editions of the Ball, strengthening its long-term impact. This year, for the first time, funds will also be donated to the Polish Foundation for Africa, which among other activities provides daily meals for children in Madagascar.
Department of Promotion