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Brother Stefan Franczak awarded the Order
Szczepan Marczyński
Brother Stefan Franczak
ph. Sz. Marczyński
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On 4 March 2009 the President of Poland Lech Kaczyński awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta to Brother Stefan Franczak in recognition of his "outstanding achievements in the field of breeding of ornamental plants and of his contribution to international horticultural advancement". The motion had been put forward by the Polish Nurserymen Association at the beginning of 2008 and had been seconded by many national and international celebrities and organisations, among others, by
the International Clematis Society.
The Order was presented to Brother Stefan by the city Gdynia mayor Wojciech Szczurek, PhD on 22 March 2009 at the Jesuit College in Gdynia. Brother Stefan felt quite well and we could see that he was touched and pleased. Apart from the fellow friars, the modest ceremony was attended by his two nieces (the woman in white shirt in the group photo is Ewa Franczak), the Jesuit provincial superior for central and north Poland, PhD Dariusz Kowalczyk, as well as local press and television reporters.
ph. Sz. Marczyński
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ph. Sz. Marczyński
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ph. from archive of Jesuit College
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ph. from archive of Jesuit College
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ph. Sz. Marczyński
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ph. Sz. Marczyński
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ph. from archive of Jesuit College
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ph. from archive of Jesuit College
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A 20 minute presentation showing examples of Brother Stefan’s work made a big impression on the people gathered. It was also discussed the usefulness of creating in Gdynia, and maybe in other cities as well, a collection of clematis bred and selected by Brother Stefan.
ph. from archive of Jesuit College
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ph. Sz. Marczyński
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