Adam Zaborowski
A Renaissance Man in a Modern Edition
A surveyor at heart, a historian by passion, and a diplomat by vocation. A true ambassador of Polish culture on all fronts – and a master of mixing protocol with… a good sense of humor.
If Leonardo da Vinci were born in the 21st century—and happened to be from Stryjno-Kolonia—his name would be Adam Zaborowski. How else can you describe a man who, with a map in one hand and a book in the other, traverses eras, disciplines, and continents, leaving behind a trail of class, knowledge, and life’s subtle finesse?
It all began—like in a good novel—with geodesy. A young Adam steps into the Faculty of Geodesy and Cartography at the Warsaw University of Technology with the precision of someone who understands that space is more than just coordinates. But instead of settling for the title of engineer, he unfolds another map—this time, of history—and sets out on a journey toward a PhD in the humanities. After all, only someone truly exceptional can calculate the area of a plot and analyze the twists and turns of history with equal passion.
In Adam Zaborowski’s professional life, it’s hard to find a field he hasn’t touched. He has been a lecturer, a civil servant, a diplomat, Vice President of the Polish Tourism Organisation, the face of Polish hospitality, and a man who turned the promotion of his country into a true art form.
When Sir Edmund Hillary—the conqueror of Everest—visited Poland, it was Adam who welcomed him as only he could: with class, with history, and… most likely with a glass of fine red wine. Because diplomacy is one thing—but savoring life? That’s an entirely different area of expertise.
And when Poland was preparing for Euro 2012, he—side by side with Gmoch and Szarmach—showed Europe that along the Vistula, there’s not only great football, but also great cuisine, brilliant company, and… an unpredictable sense of humor.
But you don’t need to read Adam’s résumé to know he’s a man of character. Just look at the photos: here—in a student dorm, smiling, with a glass of wine and a cola in hand, surrounded by girls like a king of life (which, for a moment, he surely was). There—in a cavalry uniform, celebrating a friend’s wedding from the university. Always somewhere between convention and spontaneity, between elegance and a hint of bohemian charm.
He’s someone who could address ambassadors with grace and ease—and just as easily throw out a sharp, witty remark over dinner. A diplomat who knew that in life—just like in politics—it’s not only about protocol, but also the rhythm of conversation and… the perfectly timed retort when the moment calls for it.
And when, after 45 years of a remarkable career, he decided to give voice to his memories, the book “Promoting Poland. Diplomacy, Economy, Tourism, Sport, Culture” was born — a title that could easily carry the subtitle: “How Not to Fall Asleep During a Briefing, and How to Truly Engage People Instead of Just Speaking at Them.”
Adam Zaborowski is more than a man. He is a brand. A style. A story you want to hear over a glass of wine, read between the lines, and quote years later.
A man who measured the earth, explored history, represented his country—and never forgot the importance of a good anecdote, a dash of irony, and a heartfelt laugh.