(born the 19th of March 1937 in Międzyrzec Podlaski) –historian of art, sinologist, traveller, director and operator of film documentaries, author of many books, television programmes, radio auditions, articles and modern art exhibitions.

Together with her husband, Tony Halik, she realized approx. 300 documentaries from every continent for the Polish television and she was the hostess of popular traveller’s guide programme on tv, Pepper and vanilla.

(selected excerpts from interview)

WHO IS SHE?

„ (…) A fulfilled person, but not yet completely ”

Optimist

Optimism really helps in life. Do not complain, but smile.

I have even published the album „The smile of the world”. I have noticed, that people laugh most often in the poor countries, in South-East Asia. They smile and are good-hearted, this comes together. A smile is the shortest way to one’s heart. Unfortunately, right now, we are more focussed on material things, than we are looking into what’s spiritual. Over there, it is different. Anyway, their God, Buddha, is smiling. And here, in our culture, Jesus suffers on the cross. I think that this also has some meaning.

Distraction

We must try not to get distracted in life. Should not do just anything, spending one’s time to do what’s unimportant. Well, pleasure is not unimportant. It is significant. My husband always used to tell me: “I do not regret spending my money on health, food and pleasure”. (…)

Joy

I had little, but I always knew how to be happy due to the small things. When I walk, it makes me happy that rye, poppy seed flowers and cornflowers smell so wonderful, that birches sway swishing with their leaves and that there is beautiful music… The world is different every day, let’s rejoice in it. When we are grateful for the small things in life, greater joy shall also come true.

Expectations

One has got to expect out of life all the time. And one has to give constantly.