Photo: Mariusz Kubik / wikipedia.orgIrena Kwiatkowska, the queen of Poland’s comedy actresses, celebrates her 98th birthday today.
Voted “Comedy actress of the century” in a plebiscite two years ago, Irena Kwiatkowska also ranked fifth on the list of all top film, theatre and cabaret artists in 20th century Poland.
With her characteristic voice and demeanour, the diminutive actress played a host of memorable parts in some of the best-loved Polish television series, as well as appearing in theatre, cabaret, on television and on the radio.
For some 65 years she collaborated with Polish Radio, also recording for young audiences. Laureate of many radio prizes, Irena Kwiatkowska said in an interview on her 90th birthday that since her early years she has taken acting seriously.
“It is a calling. I remember that when I was six or so, a rich family invited some children, including me, and these children would say a poem and get a piece of cake,” Kwiatkowska then recalled, comtinuing that “I decided, professionally, that I wouldn’t perform for a piece of cake. So I didn’t get any because I refused to perform in a way that I found disagreeable.”
Born on September 17, 1912 in Warsaw, Irena Kwiatkowska graduated in theatre studies in 1935 and began her stage career with the cabaret “Cyrulik Warszawski” (Barber of Warsaw).
During the Nazi occupation she took part in performances organised by the Polish underground. She was a soldier of the Home Army (AK) and fought in the Warsaw Rising.
In the 1950s she taught at Warsaw’s State Drama Academy. Laureate of many awards and prizes, including the most prestigious Gloria Artis gold medal for contribution to culture, she also holds the Order of the Smile awarded by Polish children. (ek/jb)
Source: IAR