Kraków Hosts Its First Consular Gala

Kraków’s first Consular Gala opened with a musical performance of Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson’s We Are the World, delivered by the Cathedral Mixed Choir conducted by Dr Andrzej Korzeniowski.

In his opening remarks, Paweł Włodarczyk, President of the Kraków Consular Club and Honorary Consul General of Croatia, highlighted Kraków’s strong international presence. The city is home to 39 consular offices, making it Poland’s second-largest consular centre after Warsaw.

The gala was held on the eve of International Diplomats’ Day, celebrated on 24 October. One of the evening’s highlights was the presentation of the inaugural Legatus Cracoviensis awards, recognising individuals and organisations whose work has made a significant contribution to Kraków’s international profile and cooperation with partners abroad.

Legatus Cracoviensis Award Winners

In the Individual category, the awards went to:

Professor Jacek Purchla received an award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to culture, heritage preservation and international cooperation. An art historian and economist, he founded and served for many years as Director of the International Cultural Centre in Kraków. He also served as Deputy Mayor of Kraków in 1990–1991 and as Acting Mayor in early 1991. His many achievements include his work with the Polish Committee for UNESCO, serving as Vice-President of Europa Nostra, and chairing the UNESCO World Heritage Committee during its 2017 session in Kraków.

Professor Jerzy Lis, Rector of the AGH University of Kraków, was honoured for his efforts to strengthen international scientific cooperation and promote Kraków as a centre of research and innovation. His work includes involvement in the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland (KRASP), the establishment of the Kraków DIANA Accelerator as part of NATO’s Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic, and the development of the European University on Earth and Humanity (UNIVERSEH). In 2025, AGH also established the Centre for Space Technologies and launched Poland’s first Faculty of Space Technologies.

In the Institution and Organisation category, the award went to the Villa Decius Association.

Since 1996, the Association has promoted international cultural and intellectual cooperation, intercultural dialogue, human rights and the protection of cultural heritage. Its key initiatives include the Visegrad Summer School, the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Polish Prize, literary residency programmes and activities associated with ICORN, the International Cities of Refuge Network.

Acknowledgements and the Importance of Cooperation

The gala also provided an opportunity to thank the individuals and institutions that have supported the work of foreign representations in Kraków over many years. Krzysztof Jan Klęczar, Voivode of the Małopolska Region, in turn thanked Kraków’s diplomats for attending important official ceremonies and for their daily work on behalf of citizens of other countries living in or visiting Kraków.

The establishment of the Kraków Consular Club and the organisation of the first Consular Gala send an important signal that Kraków is a welcoming city where foreign diplomats can carry out their missions effectively.

At the same time, the strong international diplomatic presence in Kraków represents a valuable asset for both the city and the region. Foreign consular offices are important partners for the authorities of Kraków and Małopolska in developing international cooperation and promoting the city and region on the global stage.