Tygodnik Powszechny Foundation

TYGODNIK POWSZECHNY FOUNDATION

The main aim of the Tygodnik Powszechny Foundation is to deepen and promote a democratic model for society based on Christian values. Among the other tasks of the foundation is custody of the Jerzy Turowicz archive and managing the legacy of the heritage and traditions of the “Tygodnik Powszechny”. The statute includes a number of other tasks, such as furthering freedom of speech and free and independent mass media, promoting reading and education, the extension and promotion of Polish culture and science in Europe and the world; the documenting and archiving of Catholic social, cultural and scientific life,; supporting the development of Christian culture and teaching, organising educational and artistic activities and promoting such activities. The foundation has organised or assisted in organising a number of cultural events, such as musical concerts accompanying the annual St. George medal giving ceremony with contributions from Collegium Vocale Gent conducted by Philip Herrewegh and Kevin Kenner; the 60th anniversary celebrations of the “Tygodnik Powszechny” in 2005; and “Days of the Tango” Astor Piazzolla’s music festival in 2007. The foundation also inspired the creation of the PIAZZOFORTE project, awarded with the “Fryderyk” award, which combines Piazzolla’s music with the classical music of Bach and Chopin.
The foundation, together with the fr. J.Tischner European High School (Wyższa Szkoła Europejska im. Ks. J.Tischnera), is the organizer of a series of debates entitled “Uniwersytet Powszechny“ (“Universal University”) and together with Multikino and Kijów. Centrum it organises film premieres and special film screenings as well as workshops, courses and educational events.
The TP foundation is also involved in financing the publishing and editorial aspects of the weekly “Tygodnik Powszechny”. It is because of the Foundation’s contributions that the magazine issues supplements on different subjects and includes film and music discs.
The foundation finances the maintenance and takes part in managing the Jerzy Turowicz archive in Krakow. This institution was created in January 1999 after the death of the Chief Editor of “TP” to save and use the enormous collection found in the home of Anna and Jerzy Turowicz. The archive has created a digital reprint of “TP” from the period of 1945 – 2005, a digital catalogue of J. Turowicz’s correspondence with over 1200 correspondents, and currently, based on his collections, there is a monograph being created of the life and works of the late co-founder and Chief Editor under the supervision of Tomasz Fiałkowski.
The Foundation Chairman of the Board is Aleksander Kardyś, and the Foundation Board members are: Father Adam Boniecki, Wojciech Bonowicz, Krzysztof Burnetko, Piotr Mucharski, Michał Okoński and Wojciech Pięciak. The foundation was started on the 14th of June 2002 and was the sole owner of the “Tygodnik Powszechny” company. Since June 2007 the second partner and co-owner of the “Tygodnik Powszechny” company is ITI Impresario Holding. Since 2004 the Foundation has had the status of a public benefit organisation.
The Tygodnik Powszechny Foundation together with the City of Krakow and the Krakow Festival Office is the official organizer of the Joseph Conrad International Literature Festival.
“Tygodnik Powszechny” is the main media patron of the Festival.