Mariusz Sokolowski, a Bialystok teacher involved in restoring the memory of the Jews of Wasilkow and Bialystok and author of a publication dedicated to teaching multiculturalism, has been awarded the POLIN 2023 Prize. The prize is awarded by the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews to individuals who are actively involved in protecting the memory of the history of Polish Jews. Honorable mention in the competition was received by Ewa Paul and the Grybow Saga Association.
“The heroes of tonight’s event protect the memory of those who have been forgotten, bringing back from oblivion names and surnames that have been unspoken for decades. They discover and popularise their stories and bring back memories. They cultivate what is noblest and most worthy in human nature: they pay respect to past generations. This is the foundation of our culture and civilisation”, said Zygmunt Stępiński, director of the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, during the ceremony.
The award winner is the principal of the Władysław Sikorski Primary School No. 20 in Białystok. Since 2007, he has been involved in restoring the memory of the Jews of Wasilkow and Białystok. He is also the author of publications and articles on the methodology of teaching about multiculturalism. Sokolowski is also a co-creator of the Jewish Heritage Trail in Białystok, and as a teacher he encourages students to learn about the local multicultural past.
Distinctions were also awarded at Tuesday’s finale. They were awarded to Ewa Paul, active in the Bełchatów and Sulmierzyce areas, and the Saga Grybów Association – a group of local activists working to save the tangible and intangible heritage of the town and region of Grybów, which includes Jewish and Lemko cultures.
The competition is realised within the framework of the Jewish Cultural Heritage project and co-financed by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway through the European Economic Area Funds and the national budget. This year, the award was presented for the ninth time.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński