Tadeusz KACZOR was born on 10th of January, 1947 in Wrocław,
Poland, in a repatriate family with strong patriotic traditions. Till 1981 he
served in air forces and army management. After retirement he established the
ATOS company providing security and protection services, and is still its
President of the Board. The ATOS company has been and still is one of the few
Polish enterprises without even a minimum of foreign capital. The rules that
govern its activities are highly valued, and the success of the company was
often awarded with highest distinctions in Poland and abroad: Business Fair
Play, Reliable Company of the Ministry of National Defence, Polish Success,
European Medal, Best Enterprise of Europe. In 2006 the company under the
guidance of Tadeusz Kaczor was awarded the Icebreakers Award, awarded to
companies that fight against the social exclusion of handicapped people and help
them return to professional activity.
Tadeusz Kaczor's fascination with Hungary began already in his childhood,
inspired by the history of Poland cultivated in his family. In 1981, when the
Polish-Hungarian Friendship Society was established in Łódź, he became its
active member, and in 1987 - its Vice-President. His continued efforts for the
benefit of the Polish-Hungarian friendship were highly appreciated both by the
citizens of the two coutries and by their governments, and in 2004 he was
appointed the Honorary Consul of the Hungarian Republic in Łódź, and only 4
years later - the Honorary Consul General.
In 2003 during one of his numerous visits to Hungary, Tadeusz
Kaczor was invested into the International Knightly Order of Saint George
receiving the title of the Knight of the Order from its Grand Master, general
János Kárászy-Kulin. Only two years later, in 2005, acting on the proposal of
the Grand Master Tadeusz Kaczor took upon himself the task of setting up the
Priory of the Order in Poland, and was appointed the Grand Prior of Poland and
Deputy Grand Master. Within a short time, the Grand Priory of Poland became one
of the most numerous and active priories, and in 2009, as desired by His
Excellency János Kárászy-Kulin and based on an unanimous decision of the Grand
Magistry of the Order, he became, as the first Pole in history, the Grand Master
of the International Knightly Order of Saint George.
The scope of Tadeusz Kaczor's social and charitable activities is enormous. For
more than 24 years he has been supporting, both personally and financially,
Polish-Hungarian Friendship Societies in Poland and in Hungary. He sponsors and
organises numerous events, exhibitions, meetings and initiatives that strengthen
and enhance the friendship between the two nations. The most important of his
achievements include: funding of plaques and medals commemorating the Hungarian
Uprising 1956, co-financing the exhibition devoted to the Polish clergy in
Hungary; co-financing of works and publications that popularise the common
Polish and Hungarian history and strengthen the love of the homeland among the
younger generations; financing and organizing the summer and winter holidays for
children from various countries in Europe; supporting schools, educational
institutions and orphanages; financing of international meetings of teenagers
from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Hungary, Ukraine, Romania and Poland.
Thanks to his financial support, the Polish bison/wisent has been transplanted
to Hungary under the program for the reintroduction of the European bison back
to the Carpathians.
Tadeusz Kaczor continuously supports the Club for Seniors of Aviation in Łódź,
activities and cooperation of Polish and Hungarian scouts, sports clubs,
schools, kindergartens and other cultural and educational institutions.
As Honorary Consul General in Łódź, he gives assistance to Hungarian citizens in
Poland, initiates and supports international contacts in many areas, popularizes
the Hungarian and Polish cultures.
In 2007, in Budapest, he was awarded the honorary membership of the Történelmi
Vitézi Rend, and in 2008, during the Conference of the Honorary Consuls of the
Hungarian Republic, he was received by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mrs.
Kinga Göncz and by the President of the Hungarian Republic, László Sólyom.
During past years Tadeusz Kaczor received numerous awards and distinctions, like
Gold Cross of Merit of the Republic of Poland, Order of Merit of the Hungarian
Republic (Knight), Life Saving Decoration, the "Heart for the Soldier"
Commemorative Medal, Medal of Merit for the City of Łódź, Third-Degree Cross for
Blood Donor Merits, Csongrad County's Creative Award (Hungarian), Honorary
Citizenship of Romhany, a city in Hungary.
However, the award that he values most is the Order of the Smile - an
international award given to adults distinguished in their love, care and aid
for children. Being awarded the Order of the Smile in 2007, Tadeusz Kaczor
joined the ranks of such people as : Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, 14th
Dalai Lama, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Queen Silvia of Sweden, Astrid
Lindgren, Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey.