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Setting up of the Committee for Social Self-defence
Jacek Kuroń Social activist
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When we came out in '77, it was already obvious that KOR had fulfilled its purpose, that we were dealing with a rare phenomenon in the history of social activity where the intended purpose had been achieved. So then there was a huge discussion about what to do next. And that's how, in effect, KOR was transformed into the Committee for Social Self-defence, keeping the initials KOR as they symbolised an idea that would remain, so the huge capital of people, experience, equipment and money wouldn't be wasted and would support this movement that was going to grow - self-defence groups for industrial workers, rural workers and every other possible kind of worker.

No a kiedyśmy wyszli w '77 to już było jasne, że KOR swoje zadanie wyczerpał, że oto mamy do czynienia z takim rzadkim zjawiskiem w historii działań społecznych, kiedy się swoje cele wyznaczone wykonuje. I zaczęła się wielka dyskusja, co dalej. I tak powstał w rezultacie... KOR przekształcił się w Komitet Samoobrony Społecznej, zachowując te literki KOR symbolicznie z ideą, że będzie teraz... żeby tego całego wielkiego kapitału, ludzi, doświadczeń, sprzętu, pieniędzy nie zmarnować, że to będzie wsparcie dla tego ruchu, który się będzie rozwijał – grup samoobrony, robotniczych, chłopskich i wszystkich innych możliwych jakich tylko...

The late Polish activist, Jacek Kuroń (1934-2004), had an influential but turbulent political career, helping transform the political landscape of Poland. He was expelled from the communist party, arrested and incarcerated. He was also instrumental in setting up the Workers' Defence Committee (KOR) and later became a Minister of Labour and Social Policy.

Listeners: Jacek Petrycki Marcel Łoziński

Cinematographer Jacek Petrycki was born in Poznań, Poland in 1948. He has worked extensively in Poland and throughout the world. His credits include, for Agniezka Holland, Provincial Actors (1979), Europe, Europe (1990), Shot in the Heart (2001) and Julie Walking Home (2002), for Krysztof Kieslowski numerous short films including Camera Buff (1980) and No End (1985). Other credits include Journey to the Sun (1998), directed by Jesim Ustaoglu, which won the Golden Camera 300 award at the International Film Camera Festival, Shooters (2000) and The Valley (1999), both directed by Dan Reed, Unforgiving (1993) and Betrayed (1995) by Clive Gordon both of which won the BAFTA for best factual photography. Jacek Petrycki is also a teacher and a filmmaker.

Film director Marcel Łoziński was born in Paris in 1940. He graduated from the Film Directing Department of the National School of Film, Television and Theatre in Łódź in 1971. In 1994, he was nominated for an American Academy Award and a European Film Academy Award for the documentary, 89 mm from Europe. Since 1995, he has been a member of the American Academy of Motion Picture Art and Science awarding Oscars. He lectured at the FEMIS film school and the School of Polish Culture of Warsaw University. He ran documentary film workshops in Marseilles. Marcel Łoziński currently lectures at Andrzej Wajda’s Master School for Film Directors. He also runs the Dragon Forum, a European documentary film workshop.

Tags: KOR, Committee for Social Self-defence

Duration: 45 seconds

Date story recorded: 1987

Date story went live: 12 June 2008