Prof. Stefan Sawicki honored with the Order of St. Gregory the Great

Prof. Stefan Sawicki - an outstanding theoretician and historian of literature, as well as an outstanding expert on the work of Cyprian Norwid - received the Papal Order of Saint Gregory the Great on July 18, as well as the Medal of the Minister of Education and Science "Sapientia et Veritas for Merit to Polish Science."The Catholic University of Lublin has been my great adventure in life, and allow me to be trivial: my love," said the moved 96-year-old laureate during the ceremony, which took place at the Rector's Office of the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin.

Professor Stefan Sawicki is an icon in terms of his knowledge of Polish literature, especially the area related to the works of Cyprian Norwid," recalled the Rector of the Catholic University of Lublin, Rev. Prof. Miroslaw Kalinowski, who opened the ceremony by welcoming guests, including the Metropolitan of Lublin and Grand Chancellor of the Catholic University of Lublin Archbishop Stanislaw Budzik, as well as the Minister of Education and Science Przemyslaw Czarnek. 

The Rector of the Catholic University of KUL  stressed that an analysis of Prof. Stefan Sawicki's biography and activities reflects the parable of the talents described in the Gospels. Indeed, the biography of the prominent literary scholar indicates, as Rev. Prof. Kalinowski assessed, that Prof. Sawicki properly used and multiplied the wonderful gift he received from God. He has distinguished himself as an outstanding expert in literature, in works such  as "Chopin's Piano" and "Bem's Mournful Rhapsody," for example. Among other things, Prof. Sawicki is the founder and former head of the Department (now the Center) for Research on the Works of Cyprian Norwid and former editor-in-chief of the journal "Studia Norwidiana."

In the laudation dedicated to the laureate, literary historian Prof. Piotr Chlebowski of the Institute of Literary Studies at the Catholic University of Lublin noted that Pope Francis' decoration of Prof. Stefan Sawicki - "one of the most distinguished scholars of post-war Poland" - is fully just recognition of his distinguished services. His merits for the Catholic University of Lublin, his involvement in the development of the Catholic Church in Poland, especially during the dark period of the People's Republic of Poland and in the years after our country regained its independence, also for the benefit of Polish society - said Prof. Chlebowski, who has also been researching the work of Cyprian Norwid for many years.

It is difficult today to meet a philologist among Polish literary scholars and humanists with such sensitivity to the subject of cognitive endeavors, free from various pressures, including those related to a genuine commitment to Christianity, freedom and religious identity. Among the post-war Polish scholars, he is the one who, has revealed an exceptional and enduring research attitude, based on the service of truth", emphasized Prof. Chlebowski, presenting the laureate's biography and most important achievements.

The researcher also recalled that during the reign of Marxist doctrine in science, Professor Stefan Sawicki was one of the few scholars in Poland who not only opposed imposed ideology in literary studies and in the field of art research, but also proposed their own independent directions of cognitive approaches.

- Professor Sawicki became a promotor for a large number of students and pupils, of whom many are now professors, academics at universities in Poland and abroad.

The certificate of the title of Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great was presented to the laureate by Archbishop Stanislaw Budzik. Afterwards, Prof. Stefan Sawicki received the Gold Medal "Meritorious for Polish Science Sapientia et Veritas" from the Minister of Science and Higher Education Przemyslaw Czarnek. The decoration was awarded to the researcher "for special contributions to higher education and science, including outstanding achievements in scientific, teaching and organizational activities." - There are some awards that are indeed a great reward for the laureate, and such is  an award the Order of St. Gregory the Great, but there are also some laureates who are a reward for the award, which is exactly this very case," the minister said.

Prof. Stefan Sawicki also spoke, stressing the great importance that the Catholic University in People's Republic of Poland played in his life - he emphasised that during those years at KUL, scientific research and teaching could be conducted freely. He noted that working at the Catholic university made scientists aware that "national and religious consciousness depends in big measure on the quality and energy of scientific thought."

- One thing I am sure of: the Catholic University of Lublin was my great life adventure. It became, during my adulthood, something immensely valuable, something extremely important, involving all my energy. I will even say: the Catholic University was my love," the 96-year-old researcher concluded.

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Prof. Stefan Sawicki - an outstanding theoretician and historian of literature, including primarily a Norwidologist (among other things, founder of the Center for Research on the Works of C. Norwid at the Catholic University of Lublin), as well as initiator of pioneering research in Poland and numerous undertakings in this field - was born on February 8, 1927 in Brzesc. He studied Polish philology from 1946 to 1951 at the Catholic University of Lublin and Jagiellonian University.

Prof. Chlebowski noted in his laudation, that Prof. Stefan Sawicki was an employee of the Catholic University of Lublin from 1951 until his retirement in 1999. - In fact, he still actively participates in the life of the university. He is one of the pillars of our university, one of those who built - and in this case in the literal sense - both its ideological and material foundations," the researcher added.

In his laudation, Prof. Chlebowski mentioned, among others, some of his functions: in the years 1971-1983 pro-rector of the Catholic University of Lublin (KUL), secretary general, and then president of the Scientific Society of the Catholic University of Lublin (1989-1998). In addition, Prof. Sawicki served on such organizations as the Editorial Committee of the Catholic Encyclopedia (1973-1983), the Committee for the Study of Polish Literature of the Polish Academy of Sciences (1990-1993), the Polish Academy of Arts and Sciences (since 1993) the Association of Polish Writers, the Social Council to the Primate of Poland (1981-1983), and the Scientific Council of the Polish Episcopate (1980-1990).

He took a very active part in academic life, running, for example, the first completely independent academic theater in Poland in the 1950s. He intensively supported the activities of the world-renowned KUL Academic Choir and was one of the initiators of the KUL Visual Stage, headed by Prof. Leszek Mądzik, who considers himself his student," Prof. Chlebowski added in his laudation.