Well-known Poles
This is my highly subjective list of well known and famous Poles. I have mentioned the people who I feel have an impact on today’s Poland. I also only write about people, if I have a good knowledge of them from different sources – that is, I’ve read about them and seen them in films, and through that I’ve formed my own opinion, which I also express. So this is not an encyclopaedia I’m presenting here.
This also means that I’ve left out certain categories. Skier Adam Małysz, footballer Robert Lewandowski and tennis stars Caroline Wozniacki and Iga Świątek should undoubtedly be included in a list of important Poles. But… I switch off the TV when they broadcast sports, so I’m simply not the right person to write about these great people.
It’s not a closed catalogue either. New people keep popping up that I want to write about, but I have to accept my productive limitations and the need to do other things. However, I have a list of people I would like to add. It currently includes: Dmowski, Gierek, Kosniak-Kamysz, Marcieriwicz, Biedron, Urban and Popiełuszki.
Politicians
Here I feature politicians who are relevant to today’s political debate. There are currently 17 names, including a few deceased ones that I’ve decided aren’t important enough to put under legends. Over time, I plan to expand the catalogue.
Art & culture
10 artists, of which the deceased obviously qualify for the legend category. I’d have a hard time explaining why I’ve chosen just these 10, but I had two things in mind – Nobel Prizes and a decisive influence on the perception of reality and history in Poland/Polish people.
Legends
It’s a small exclusive group that’s known all over the world, so if you don’t know them, you’ve better read about them before travelling to Poland.
Please send an email to m@hardenfelt.pl if you would like an English-speaking tour guide to show you the most important places in Warsaw.