Professor Aleksander-Marek Sadowski retired on Friday, April 24, 2015, during a ceremony in the Bürgersaal of Zittau Town Hall. Professor Sadowski had been working in the Translation and Business and Languages courses at Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences in the field of Applied Linguistics and Translation Studies Polish since 2002.

Prior to that, he worked at Bonn University and in the language service of the Federal Foreign Office in Bonn and later in Berlin. After being welcomed by the Dean of the Faculty, the Vice-Rector for Research conveyed the greetings of the Rectorate.

Afterwards, former ambassador Reinhart Kraus (picture on the right, former ambassador Reinhart Kraus, photo: Anja Müller) gave the ceremonial address on behalf of Mr. Gunnar Hille (Head of the Language Learning Centre of the Federal Foreign Office). Its title, "The strongest trees grow on hard ground", is emblematic of the life and work of Professor Sadowski, who, despite all adversity, has retained his subtle humor, his ability to listen and his kindness and humanity towards everyone. During his work as a translator and language teacher in Bonn, Professor Sadowski was also entrusted with translating the speeches of Foreign Minister Genscher, Federal Chancellor Kohl and Federal President von Weizäcker.

Professor Schulz, Dean of the Faculty, reflected on Professor Sadowski's life and work and expressed his thanks on behalf of all his colleagues in the Faculty. "Remain the person we appreciate and like and continue to contribute to making the world a little better every day with your nature for many years to come." As a memento of his time at the university, he presented Professor Sadowski with a ribbon containing personal congratulations and greetings from the staff.

The farewell ceremony was musically framed by Ms Emilia Winkler (student on the Business and Languages course) on the piano and Ms Zonja Szymanowski (member of the faculty and alumni of the MA course in Business Translation) on the Celtic harp and accordion.

Professor Sadowski, who is still teaching until the end of the summer semester, thanked the guests for their congratulations and greetings and then invited them to a reception in House VII.

Contact:

Gregor Hummel