A commemorative plaque commemorating the Brzezinski family has been embedded in the Primary School No. 1 in Przemyśl. The ceremony was attended by Mark Brzezinski, US Ambassador to Poland. – My father would be proud of Poland and the Polish-American friendship that has never been stronger. Tomorrow would be his 95th birthday. It’s a great gift. Thank you, he said.
On Monday in Przemyśl, in Primary School No. 1, a plaque commemorating the Brzezinski family, associated with this city for generations, was embedded. It was in this school that Zbigniew Brzezinski, an outstanding political scientist, diplomat, advisor to presidents, studied USA.
Son of Zbigniew Brzezinski – Mark Brzezinski, the US ambassador to Poland, took part in the ceremony. – It is extremely appropriate to commemorate my father and my father’s father at school. Education was so important to them, it was their key to education, their key to ministry, their starting point. The school plays a very important role.
– This school, like every school in the world, has roots in the local community, but also a global reach, in the case of, for example, my father, Marshal Kuchciński (who was present at the ceremony – ed.) and all others – added the ambassador.
Brzezinski at school no. 1 in PrzemyślPAP/Darek Delmanowicz
Brzezinski: staying in Przemyśl is a fascinating lesson for me about what shaped me
Up to that point, Brzezinski had spoken in English, but delivered the rest in Polish. – Each stay in Przemyśl is a fascinating history lesson for me about what shaped me. Today’s ceremony commemorates the work of the Brzezinski family. My great-grandfather Kazimierz was a social and local government activist in Przemyśl. My grandfather Tadeusz was a Polish diplomat, and my father Zbigniew gained the status of a statesman on the international arena. I follow their shadow. This is a path guided by the principles of loyalty and love for the country, he said.
He recalled that his father “was thrown to the coast of North America by the Second World War”. – His country was occupied, and he knew what it was like to be a citizen of an invaded country and he remembered this throughout his professional career. Even though he only spent his formative years in Przemyśl, I know that this place has always remained in his heart. In those early years, he developed a love for Poland that accompanied him throughout his life – said Brzezinski.
He stated that his father “would be proud of Poland and the Polish-American friendship that has never been stronger.”
– My father told me many years ago when I was leaving to become the US ambassador to Sweden“Mark, don’t go abroad to be an ambassador. Go abroad to do something, as an ambassador.” Dad, I hope you’re proud of me. Happy birthday to Zbig. Tomorrow would be his 95th birthday. It’s a great birthday present today. Thank you, he added.
Main photo source: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz