Born in 1953. Kraków. MA in Faculty of Law and Administration, Jagiellonian University, 1977. Co-founder of the Solidarność Independent Student Association. Co-founder of the Cracow Branch of the Solidarność Trade Union,1980. BBC and Radio France Internationale Journalist and co-operator of Radio Free Europe,1983-1989. Director of the Polish Institute in Paris,1990-1996. Director of "Kraków 2000 – European City of Culture" Festival (1996-2002). Founder of the Festival Office and the Cultural and Tourist Information Centre in Krakow. Leader of Voivodship of Małopolska Council,1998-2002. Director of the Department of Promotion at the Krakow Municipal Office(2003-2004), Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (1993); Order of Merit for achievements in the field of Polish Culture (1999). In July 2004 elected to the European Parliament. MEP since 2004.