 Over the centuries Białystok has produced a number of persons who have provided unique contributions to the fields of science , language , politics , religion , sports , visual arts and performing arts . This environment was created in the mid eighteenth century by the patronage of Jan Klemens Branicki for the arts and sciences . A list of recent notable persons includes , but is not limited to ; Ryszard Kaczorowski , last émigré President of the Republic of Poland , L. L. Zamenhof , the creator of Esperanto , Albert Sabin , co @-@ developer of the polio vaccine , Izabella Scorupco , actress , Max Weber , painter . Tomasz <unk> illustrator , animator and director Oscar nominee in 2002 for The Cathedral 
