Bronisław Geremek (1932-2008)

Jan Kulakowski writes a personal tribute to his friend and colleague, who died on 13 July

When I think about Bronislaw Geremek, or as many friends called him, Bronek, I conjure up the image of an incredible man. This outstanding politician, an intellectual and an erudite, combined two different worlds: the world enveloped by the tragedy of the second world war and communism, and the world cherishing freedom and fundamental values.

These two different worlds, so extremely different, made up the figure of this great man, great Pole and great European. Bronek was a truly exceptional personality of his era. He combined tragedy and humour, a certain mystery together with openness and a talent for communicating.

He was constantly insatiable. At first he felt hunger for freedom and democratic transformation. When this was achieved, along came an appetite for a strong Poland in a united EU. He basked in the glory of Polish national identity, so closely connected to European values. He was an exceptional advocate and spokesman for Poland. Appreciated by many, misunderstood by some. Brave in acting and thinking. Simply extraordinary.  

Geremek held a large number of highly important functions. He was a leading thinker in Poland’s anti-communist Solidarity movement, a prominent anti-communist dissident and one of the key advisers to Lech Walesa. Geremek chaired the Sejm’s (lower chamber of the Polish parliament) committee on foreign affairs from 1989 until 1997 and later went on to be foreign minister until 2000. He helped to pave Poland’s way towards the EU and Nato. From 2004 until 13 July 2008 Geremek was a member of the European parliament.

His death is a momentous loss, not only for Poland and for Poles. On 13 July one of Europe’s visionaries tragically passed away. Unfortunately nowadays there are fewer and fewer people of his kind. And so it is a loss both for the quality of European integration and for everyone who believes in the purpose of the common market and building an even more cohesive community of nations and societies.

We are building the future of the EU and its place in the world as a part of the irreversible process of globalisation. Geremek was one of few people whom I entirely identified myself with in terms of the vision of the EU and the role of Poland in the process of European integration.

He was the one whose principality but also the ability of compromise transcended traditional stereotypes, which arose in minds of people and which we all know are difficult to defeat. With unprecedented virtuosity, he was able to go about European affairs expressing his curiosity about the world and demonstrating his exceptional capacity for dialogue.

He was able to question and to inspire. He was a master of expressing his ideas. He was an excellent speaker. He was a one-man band able to play diverse instruments and enchant many with his music.

Today, saying goodbye to Professor Geremek, I would like to worship his memory. This is the memory of a man who fought for freedom and democracy not only in his own country but also in Europe and in the world. The man who could see an active role for Poland in building a common EU and a role for Poland in which she would be able to jointly shape the future of strong and united Europe.