Year of Film People: 247 incarnations of Leonard
The Regional Parliament of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region has declared 2026 the Year of Film People. In line with this initiative, city councillors in Bydgoszcz have inaugurated the Year of Leonard Pietraszak to mark the 90th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding actor, who throughout his life emphasized his strong ties to his hometown. A wide range of events celebrating his legacy will take place throughout the year.
Leonard Pietraszak was born in 1936 in Bydgoszcz and became one of the most recognizable Polish film and theatre actors. Audiences loved him for roles in iconic productions such as Czarne chmury, Stawka większa niż życie, Vabank, Kingsajz and Kariera Nikodema Dyzmy. He was known for his charisma, elegance, and exceptional acting sensitivity, which made him an icon of Polish cinema and television for decades. He was also a laureate of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Film Award named after Pola Negri.
Bydgoszcz also honors his deep attachment to the city. Pietraszak often emphasized that it was here that his artistic sensitivity was shaped. In 2014, together with his wife, he donated a valuable painting collection to the Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum in Bydgoszcz. He was an Honorary Citizen of Bydgoszcz, and his signature can be found in the Bydgoszcz Autograph Alley on Długa Street.
The celebrations are coordinated by the Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum in Bydgoszcz, which has prepared an extensive program of events, including exhibitions, film screenings, educational meetings, film music concerts, guided walks following the actor’s footsteps, and outdoor events along the Bydgoszcz Canal.
A documentary film titled “247 wcieleń Leonarda” (“247 Faces of Leonard”) is also planned. Directed by Remigiusz Zawadzki, the film will present the life and work of the actor through his many roles. It is being produced with the support of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Film Fund.
A key highlight of the program is the exhibition “Leonard Pietraszak. Figura wielu planów” (“A Figure of Many Dimensions”), opening on June 18 at the Leon Wyczółkowski District Museum in Bydgoszcz. It will feature stills and materials from his most important film and television roles, focusing on his subtle and disciplined acting style.
Selected events:
- June 9 – Educational walk “Stąd wyszedł talent z charakterem” (“A Talent with Character Started Here”), organized by the Youth Palace, visiting locations connected to Pietraszak, including his school, the Old Parish Cemetery, and the canal boulevard.
- June 18 – “Meeting with Dowgird”, an educational-cultural event inspired by Czarne chmury, featuring historical reenactments and fencing demonstrations.
The same day: opening of the exhibition “Leonard Pietraszak. Figura wielu planów.” - August 29 – “Sounds of Cinema. Leonard Pietraszak by the Canal”, organized by the Bydgoszcz Canal Museum, featuring a concert of film music from productions in which he appeared.
- October 24 – Leonard Pietraszak Bydgoszcz Canal Birthday Run, a recurring sports event along the Old Canal.
- November 6 – “A Gentleman with Class on Screen”, including a screening of a Television Theatre performance starring Pietraszak, with a lecture and quiz.
At the end of the year, the premiere of the documentary “247 wcieleń Leonarda” is planned.
The Year of Leonard Pietraszak is intended not only as a tribute to an outstanding artist, but also as a story about Bydgoszcz—a city that played a vital role in his life. Through numerous events, residents and visitors will have the opportunity to rediscover his work and his unique bond with his hometown.
Department of Promotion
Paweł Jankowski
30 April 2026