Aleksander Sokurov and professor Jan Andrzej Kłoczowski PhD. Hab. enter the laureates fellowship of the Pontifical Council for for Culture.

The  Per Artem ad Deum Medal has been awarded for 13 years at the Targi Kielce’s SACROEXPO. The  Per Artem ad Deum Medal has been awarded by the Pontifical Council for since 2005; it is bestowed to those who enhance dialogue between the diversity of cultures in the contemporary world.    The gala ceremony will feature the laureates – Rev. Father Jan Andrzej Kłoczowski for “For a profound engagement in the discovery and knowledge dissemination about undiscovered links between theology, philosophy and psychology” and Aleksander Sokurov “For the consistent use of the powerful artistic authority in quest for answers to questions related to religion in art”.

This year’s laureates will be resented the medals during the Gala Ceremony on 11 June 2018.

Professor   Jan Andrzej Kłoczowski is a Dominican, a theologian, a professor of philosophy who has been decorated with the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta. Kłoczowski he graduated from the Institute of Art History of Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan and philosophy at the Catholic University of Lublin.  He teaches philosophy of God and religion as well as the 19th and 20th century philosophy history at the College of Philosophy and Theology of the  Dominicans in Krakow.  He was also the Department of Philosophy of Religion head at the Faculty of Philosophy of the Pontifical University of John Paul II in Krakow. Kłoczowski is also the books author, and amon them “More than a myth. Leszek Kołakowski’s dispute over religion “,” Between loneliness and community.  Introduction to philosophy of religion “,” Man’s ways of mysticism”,” Philosophy of dialogue “. Kłoczowski is the chairman of the Program Board of the Józef Tischner Institute . In 2014 Kłoczowski received the title of Master of Sacred Theology – the highest Dominican academic title. In the 1970’s and 1980’s Fr. Kłoczowski was involved in the Dominican “Beczka” pastoral ministry,  he was also actively involved in anti-communist opposition,  including through the Student Solidarity Committee).  In 2015 the “Kłocz. Autobiography” book was out – this is the interview with Father Kłoczowski authored by Artur Sporniak and Jan Strzałka.

Aleksander Sokurov – a Russian director and screenwriter, the winner of the Golden Lion at the 68th  Venice International Film Festival for his adaptation of the Faust.  By the resolution of the European Film Academy, Sokurov was pronounced one of the 100 best directors.  Aleksander Sokurov graduated from the Faculty of History at the University of Gorky. In the years 1975-1979 Sokurov studied at the Moscow’s WGIK famous film school, the documentary film studio.  He did not finish his studies as he was accused of anti-Soviet political views.  Sokurov worked in “Leningrad” documentary film studios.  He eventually gained recognition in the 90’s.  He lectured at the LenFilm Studio and hosted his own TV program “Sokurov’s Island”. In Saint Petersburg Sokurov opened a film production company  “Bereg”  whose objective was to support independent artists.  Starting from “Moloch”, none of Sokurov’s films has gone unnoticed. Almost all his films have competed at the Cannes’ IFF main competition for the Golden Palm.  In 2003 he was also honoured with the Andrzej Wajda “Freedom” Award presented by the American Cinema Foundation.

HE Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi and Andrzej Mochoń PhD. sign the agreement. In the photo from the left: Fr. Pralate  Lech Piechota PhD., Rev. professor  Tomasz Trafny and HE Bishop Marian Florczyk 

President Mochoń signed the agreement with the Pontifical Council for Culture.

The echoes of the Targi Kielce jubilee gala have not yet died away. This is when the artists from the region made their presentations in Warsaw. The exhibition and congress centre does not rest on laurels and takes up new activities to promote culture. This time Targi Kielce and the Pontifical Council for Culture join forces to work to for the benefit of art which combines artistic and spiritual values.

For 13 years the Kielce exhibition and congress centre  and the  Pontifical Council for  has supported and popularised spiritual art.  This week, in the Vatican the Targi Kielce President of Board Andrzej Mochoń PhD. and the President of the Council – Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi signed the agreement whose objective is to strengthen the existing cooperation.  The official agreement signing offers further motivation to promote  the Per Artem ad Deum Medal – Through Arts to God  idea.

– The agreement is the a culmination point in our activities designed to disseminate cultural and religious heritage.  This is the result of 13 years’ joint activities whose objective has been to promote spiritual values. The SACROEXPO is the most evident embodiment of this idea.   Thus we show that that our professional activity is not only guided with business goals – says Targi Kielce President Andrzej Mochoń.

Targi Kielce is the Organiser of the Europe-famous  International Exhibition of Church Construction, Church Fittings and Furnishings and Religious Art SACROEXPO.  The Pontifical Council for Culture Medal has been awarded at the expo; the Medal has been recognised as a very special distinction for artistic milieus whose works relate to sacrum and the Church.

The Per Artem Ad Deum initiative has advanced to the become Europe’s most important event for the sacred arts milieus.  Every year the ceremony attracts to Kielce outstanding artists from all over the world. These are the artists whose achievements contribute towards the development of culture and shapes the human spirituality – said Cardinal Ravasi.

Until now, the Per Artem Ad Deum Medal Chapter chaired by Rev.  Bishop Marian Florczyk has bestowed 21 distinctions.  The Medal fellowship includes  Wojciech Kilar, Leszek Mądzik, Krzysztof Zanussi, Ennio Morricone, Krzysztof Penderecki, Arvo Pärt et.al.

The upcoming Sacroexpo edition and the Per Artem Ad Deum medal awarding ceremony are held from 11 to 13 June 2018. Last year’s SACROEXPO edition was the showcase for 284 exhibitors from 13 countries. Almost 5,000 visitors attended the exhibition.

The gala awarding ceremony of the Pontifical Council for Culture’s Per Artem Ad Deum Medal presented by the Pontifical Council for Culture will be held within the scope of the International Exhibition of Church Construction, Church Fittings and Furnishings and Religious SACROEXPO.  The Medal has been presented for achievements  which largely contribute to the  promotion of dialogue between the diversity of cultures in the contemporary world and thus promote man as an individual. The Medal fellowship includes Ennio Morricone, Mario Botta, Krzysztof Zanussi, Wojciech Kilar and many other outstanding artists.

The Per Artem ad Deum Medal has been awarded for thirteen years at Targi Kielce staged gala ceremony.  The medal laureates are presented the distinction by the Chapter members and the church high-ranking dignitaries. The medal has been awarded since 2005; since then it has been recognised as a very special distinction for artistic milieus whose works relate to to spiritual life and the Church.  This year the Medal Chapter is chaired by HE Bishop Marian Florczyk. The Per Artem ad Deum Medal has been bestowed upon the three people who represent different fields of art and science:

SACROEXPO proudly presents Claudia Henzler as the 2017 winner of the prestigious art medal „Per Artem ad Deum“. The medal is a sign of acknowledgement from the Vatican for Claudia Henzlers „insightful and creative perception of man’s beauty, diversity and uniqueness“ which helps promote the dialogue of cultures through art.

Claudia Henzler is a renown photo artist and peace award winner who connects people of all backgrounds and cultures. Through photography, exhibitions and workshops she sets impulses to open communication, broaden horizons and deepen mutual appreciation and understanding.
Born in Heidelberg, Germany, and having traveled to over 50 countries, she presently lives in Salzburg, Austria, from where she takes on assignments in Europe and around the globe. www.henzlerworks.com

In recognition of “a constant struggle with questions of great magnitude which help to understand the universe essence” – the Medal is presented to Professor  Michał Kazimierz Heller – a Catholic priest, theologian and professor of theology is presented the Medal. Professor Heller specialises in  natural philosophy and physics, his scientific  interests include the science and faith relations. In recognition of his achievements, Professor Heller was awarded the Templeton Prize. Fr Heller is employed at the Vatican Observatory. He is also a member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

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The Pontifical Council Medal is also presented to the Czech Catholic priest, philosopher, psychologist and theologian – Tomas Halik “for the testimony truest faith demonstrated in the world perception through people’s eyes”. The Chapter’s justification reads that Fr Halik is recognised for his involvement in social life, for his public statements on racial discrimination issues. He has also worked as an addiction therapist with alcohol and drug addicts. Until 1989, he had been an important figure at the Czech Catholic Church’s anti-communist underground.

2016’s Per Artem ad Deum gala awarding ceremony