Statuette of St Maximilian for Editor-in-chief of 'Niedziela'
Anna Cichoblazinska
On 29 May, the last day of the 20th International Catholic Film and Multimedia Festival 'Niepokalanów 2005', artists, the jury and guests gathered to pray for the people of culture in the Franciscan Basilica in Niepokalanow. The subject of culture was the main point of Fr Ireneusz Skubis's sermon. He recollected his personal relationships with Niepokalanow and the person of St Maximilian. 'There is no culture without God, without the Gospel', he said. 'If culture does not liberate thoughts, behaviour, attitudes, spiritual things which inspire good, beauty and love, it is surface culture, weak culture without foundations; brutal culture which harms others'.
The prizes were conferred in the hall of St Bonaventura. The ceremony was preceded by the concert of Michal Kulenty and Marcin Masecki. The concert was dedicated to John Paul II.
Fr Stanislaw Pietka, Guardian of Niepokalanow, host and co-organiser of the Festival (also Director of the Knights of the Immaculata) as well as its good 'spirit', reminded us of the Festival's history in anecdotal way, the history which was especially colourful in the communist times where there were always 'uninvited guests'. It is worth mentioning that the Festival is a specific retreat for its participants. The retreat has been given for years by Fr Pietka.
"Niedziela" 24/2005