Andrzej Seweryn receives the Geremek Award. Earlier honored in kujawsko-pomorskie region
One of Poland’s most outstanding actors has been awarded the Bronisław Geremek Prize for exceptional contributions to Polish-French relations.
The distinction was granted for the first time, and the gala in Gdańsk, held as part of the Polish-French Friendship Day, was attended by, among others, President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The award’s patron, Professor Bronisław Geremek, was Minister of Foreign Affairs who, among other achievements, led Poland into NATO.
The laureate was selected jointly by a Polish-French jury. Andrzej Seweryn was honored “for outstanding artistic achievements and for consistently building bridges between Poland and France through cultural and public activity.” One of Poland’s most distinguished actors moved to France in 1980. For 20 years, he performed with the renowned French national theatre Comédie-Française, operating in Paris continuously since 1680. He was only the third foreigner in the long history of this prestigious stage to receive an engagement. In 1995, he became a full member of the Comédie-Française, and in 2013—an honorary member. He also lectured at theatre schools in Lyon and Paris. In 2006, he received France’s highest distinction—the Legion of Honour.
“For some time, successive Polish authorities have explained to us that Maria Skłodowska-Curie was Polish. Then, and again today, the Prime Minister said that Frédéric Chopin was Polish. And we accepted each of these provocations. Now they want us to believe that Andrzej Seweryn is also Polish,” President Macron joked during the gala in Gdańsk.
Seweryn acted and directed in kujawsko-pomorskie region
Seweryn made his stage debut at Warsaw’s Ateneum Theatre in 1968. Two years later, he appeared in film for the first time—in “Polish Album” directed by Jan Rybkowski. He has dozens of theatre and film roles to his credit, including collaborations with Andrzej Wajda, Agnieszka Holland, and Jerzy Hoffman. He also appeared in Steven Spielberg’s “Schindler’s List.” For his portrayal of Zdzisław Beksiński in “The Last Family” directed by Jan Matuszyński, he received the Best Actor award at the 69th Locarno International Film Festival and the 41st Polish Film Festival in Gdynia, as well as the prestigious Polish Film Award “Eagle” in 2017.
Seweryn’s directorial debut is connected with kujawsko-pomorskie region. In 2006, he directed the film “Who Never Lived…”, in which he also played a doctor. It tells the story of a young priest (Michał Żebrowski), a former missionary in Africa, who works with Warsaw’s drug-addicted community. One day, he learns that he himself is HIV-positive, which turns his life upside down. The film was shot in several locations across kujawsko-pomorskie region: in Toruń, Mogilno, Wenecja in Pałuki, the palace complex in Lubostroń, and the surroundings of Żnin.
Seweryn is also connected to the region through his acting work: he played a theatre director in the film “Seasons” directed by Michał Grzybowski, which premiered in 2024. This comedy, set in the world of theatre, tells the story of a marital crisis between actors Marcin and Ola. The entire film was shot in Toruń, including at the Wilam Horzyca Theatre. The leading roles are played by Łukasz Simlat and Agnieszka Dulęba-Kasza. The production was created in cooperation with the Kujawy Pomorze Film Fund.
Andrzej Seweryn has also received numerous accolades at festivals in the region. In 2016, he was awarded the Golden Angel for lifetime achievement at the Tofifest in Toruń. A year later, he was a special guest at the 11th Film Review “Pola and Others” in Lipno. The actor received the “Polityka” award “for promoting outstanding Polish acting craftsmanship abroad” and unveiled his commemorative plaque on Pola Negri Boulevard. In 2022, for “outstanding achievements in acting,” the organizers of Camerimage in Toruń honored him with their Golden Frog award.
Dariusz Czołgowski
22 April 2026