Polish journalist wins Spain’s Princess of Asturias arts Awards

Oviedo, Spain, May 11 (EFE).- Polish writer and journalist Adam Michnik was awarded the 2022 Princess of Asturias Award for Communication and Humanities in Oviedo, the award foundation announced Wednesday.

The prize was awarded to the 75 year old for his dedication to journalism and influence on the recovery and defense of democracy in Poland.

“Michnik’s struggle for human rights and dialogue led to his imprisonment under the Polish communist regime, yet he did not give up his firm opposition to dictatorship or his pursuit of reconciliation among his fellow citizens,” the jury said.

Michnik had been head of the Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper, the most important in Poland, since its creation in 1989 and has won numerous international awards for his journalistic career.

“Michnik, whose conception of Europe helped establish democratic values in his country, is also today a symbol of freedom of expression and humanism, as well as an ethical role model of resistance against authoritarian threats,” the jury added. EFE

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