Each week we shine the spotlight on a prominent person in Dorset and ask him, or her, for answers to our part fun/part serious questionnaire. This time…

Her favourite place in Dorset is the beach, she likes anything Italian when it comes to a favourite food, her biggest frustration is pessimism in people, and she’d like to be remembered for trying to be a good person.

Bea Sieradzka, Founder, World of Love Festival, takes the ‘hot seat’ for our popular 20 Questions.

Question: What is your favourite TV show?

Answer: I don’t own a TV. If I want to watch something, I go to Netflix or Amazon, although I prefer films to series. An exception was the comedy drama series After Life, which I started watching because it was written by Ricky Gervais. Once I started watching it, I couldn’t stop.

Q: Who would you like to share a car with?

A: My family is everything to me and I love spending time – and sharing a car – with them. If I were to choose a stranger, though, it would be Elon Musk. He is a visionary and an innovator and he’s not afraid to speak his mind, which can make him controversial sometimes. However, the biggest thing for me is that despite him making billions and being the richest man in the world, he seems to truly care about the future of humanity. He is passionate and sets goals that he might not be able to reach, but he is courageous, and he still tries.

Q: The best bit of my job is…?

A: I meet fascinating people from all over the world and I feel honoured and grateful that more and more people not only want to become part of the World of Love Festival, but they really feel that this is their event.

Q: And the worst?

A: Until now, one or even two days of the festival were not enough to share the beauty of the cultures that have joined us, which has been very frustrating. This is hopefully going to change for the better in 2023.

Q: Who was your childhood hero?

A: My Dad and a fictional Native American hero called Winnetou created by German writer, Karl May.

Q: What’s your favourite smell?

A: Oh, I am passionate about smells! They play an incredibly important role in my life. The scent of those I love, good perfumes, and car garages with their mixture of oils and gasoline, are just a few examples.

Q: Where’s your favourite place in Dorset?

A: The beach.

Q: What advice would you give to anyone starting out on a career?

A: Set yourself a goal and then, step by step, work towards it. Don’t listen to others when it comes to deciding about your life. Be courageous and take up the opportunities as they come. Allow yourself to be spontaneous.

Q: What was your first record/CD?

A: It was a collection of the most famous classical composers including Mozart, van Beethoven and Tchaikovsky etc.

Q: What gets you angry?

A: Cruelty and aggression; and giving up when you have not tried all the options that are available.

Q: Do you have a favourite piece of music?

A: No, but if you play Latin music I will most probably start dancing!

Q: What are the qualities you look for in a new employee?

A: Creativity, the ability to work independently, and being polite and respectful towards other people.

Q: What’s your favourite food or dish?

A: Anything Italian.

Q: Steamed sponge pudding and custard or a plate of melon?

A: I actually don’t really like melons but I would love it if I could get a plate of watermelon instead.

Q: Name the best thing about living/working in Dorset?

A: The lovely people I am lucky to meet. And the beach.

Q: If you were Prime Minister for the day what would be the first thing you do?

A: I would ensure that the healthcare remains free and I would guarantee extra funding for the NHS. Every NHS employee would also receive a substantial pay rise.

Q: What’s your biggest frustration?

A: Pessimism in people.

Q:  Where’s your favourite holiday location?

A: I don’t go on holidays very often, but I would say Italy.

Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?

A: Living a happy life with my family and running a large, colourful, happy event that shares the beauty of diverse arts and cultures and is called the World of Love Festival.

Q: What would you like to be remembered for?

A: That I tried to be a good person.