Stefan Bratkowski

Stefan Bratkowski

Stefan Bratkowski, born on November 22, 1934 in Wroclaw. Polish journalist, commentator, and writer. Lawyer by profession (graduated from the Jagiellonian University in 1955). From 1954 to 1956, he lectured and conducted research at the Faculty of Law, Jagiellonian University. His interests include: economy, history, and modern management.
In 1954 Bratkowski co-founded the Burning Tomato Clan, a private discussion club for the rebellious youth. In the very same year he joined PZPR, or the Polish United Workers Party. In 1955, he started the University Discussion Club in Krakow, and in May of 1956 he organized the first student festival called “Juwenalia” - it was the first time thousands of students gathered and marched down the streets of Krakow in an uncontrolled demonstration. He joined „Po prostu” magazine in November 1956. When “Po prostu” had been closed down by the government, he continued to work as a reporter for several other press publications, which were later pacified by the Press Bureau of the National Committee of the PZPR. He was unemployed from 1974 to 1980. In the fall of 1980 Bratkowski became President of the rebellious Polish Journalists Association, or SDP. In the fall of 1981 he was removed from PZPR, and after martial law was declared in December 1981, he spent 6 months in the underground. He served as the head of the illegal SDP from 1983 to 1988. In 1978 he initiated “Experience and Future” Discussion Group, which played an important role in the formation of public opinion just before the rise of the Solidarity movement and offered both theoretical and political foundation for Poland’s transformation. The Group was re-activated in 2007 to enhance the public debate in Poland nowadays, too. Bratkowski was a member of the Citizens’ Committee for Lech Wałęsa. He participated in the Round Table talks, and specifically the “small table” for associations. In 1989, he was re-elected as the President of re-legalized Polish Journalists Association, but in the fall he stepped down, retaining only the title of an Honorary President. He was one of the founders of „Gazeta Wyborcza” daily, where he published his commentaries. Later he had a column with „Rzeczpospolita” (until 2006).  In 1991, he co-founder (together with the World Press Freedom Committee) the Press Center Foundation for Eastern and Central Europe, of which he became President of the Board in 2007.  He currently works as the Editor-in-Chief (he was elected by his team) of an independent portal Studio Opinii. Bratkowski is a recipient of Adolf Bocheński Award (1980), Nagroda Kisiela (1990), and the Pruszyński PEN Club Award (1998). He has authored many books.