The Gala was opened with a piano recital by a young and talented Nicholas Kaponyas. After Deputy Consul Alicja Tunk welcomed the guests, president of the Pilsudski Institute Dr. Iwona Korga, together with Jolanta Szczepkowska, began the awards ceremony.
The Wacław Jędrzejewicz History Award went to Dr. Beth Holmgren, professor at Duke University, for her academic achievements in international comparative studies and Polish Literature.
The Maria Skłodowska-Curie Science Award went to Dr. Tadeusz Maliński, a distinguished professor at The Ohio State University, for his pioneering achievements in Biomedical Sciences.
The Ignacy Paderewski Arts and Music Award went to Mr. Lubomir Tomaszewski, a critically acclaimed abstract painter and sculptor, who founded an international artistic movement of The Emotionalists.
Lastly, the Ignacy Paderewski Music Award went to Mr. Leszek Długosz for his lifetime achievements in music and poetry.
