“I entered at the last minute,” admits Józefa Witas, owner of Agora. “To tell the truth, the journalists probably deserved this award. I only gathered everything that had been written about me and simply sent it in,” the woman from Bolesławiec adds modestly.
The award was granted for the bookshop’s overall work in 2007. The Polish Chamber of Books took into account bookshops’ activities extending beyond their typical commercial operations. The award ceremony was held on Wednesday, April 23, at the National Philharmonic in Warsaw. The gala was enhanced by a performance by Michał Bajor. Bolesławiec’s Agora received the distinguished title of “Reading Promotion Master.”
“During the ceremony, I remarked that I would have been insincere if I said I wasn’t happy about this award,” smiles Józefa Witas. She adds: “But my presence in Warsaw probably shows that bookshops in cities such as Bolesławiec are needed.”
The PIK award is by no means the first distinction Józefa Witas has received over the course of her career. Does it have any special significance for the owner of Agora? “I never strive for awards. I simply do what I like,” explains the award winner.
The PIK competition was organized in connection with World Book Day celebrations.
(GA report)