Julian Kulski decorated by the MFA “Poland needs authorities and today we have the privilege to honour such an authority,” said Deputy Minister Jan Dziedziczak at the ceremony of decorating Julian Kulski with the Bene Merito honorary distinction.
Established in 2009, this honorary distinction is awarded by the Minister of Foreign Affairs in recognition of services to the strengthening of Poland’s international position. According to the MFA, Kulski is a paragon of effective patriotism in peace time and successfully promotes Poland’s image in the United States.
“He has used his personal success to serve Poland,” Dziedziczak pointed out.
“That was an order — don’t wait, learn”
For many years, Julian Kulski has made efforts to show the valour of Poland and Poles to the world. His film entitled Dziedzictwo Orła Białego (Legacy of the White Eagle) was shot with the American youth in mind. It is currently shown in all public schools across the US.
“I am often invited to meetings at schools, universities and military academies. I receive letters from American children. They are really interested in Polish history,” Julian Eugeniusz Kulski said.
Importantly, he emigrated to the US following the advice of Jan Nowak-Jeziorański, who told him not to wait for another war. “‘Go to school and learn. That way you will be more useful to your country.’ I remembered that order throughout my primary school, secondary school and universities,” Kulski recollects.
Effective ambassador
This is also where he enrolled in the faculty of architecture at Yale. After several years of combining study and hard work in various professions, he achieved his goal, becoming one of the best contemporary American architects. He lives in the US to this day, giving counsel to Polish diplomats, a task he has done for many years. His knowledge and experience have allowed him to reach the American public and influence representatives of the administration and Congress.
“In order to promote anything in America, you need to think and act like them. Good intentions are not enough. Every European country but Poland has a strong lobby in Washington. This is why Poland’s image in the US is very weak. Individuals such as myself cannot replace a big PR agency,” he says.
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Julian Eugeniusz Kulski was awarded the Bene Merito (Lat., well-deserving) medal at a ceremony held on 2 August 2009. Other recipients to date include Norman Davies, Ryszard Kaczorowski, Władysław Bartoszewski and Adam Zamojski.
