On 30 November, the POLIN Prize, awarded to people who actively contribute to preserving the memory of the history of Polish Jews by the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, will be granted for the eighth time.

From more than 115 applications from all over Poland, the competition’s jury has selected six finalists. The winner or laureate of the POLIN 2022 Award will be announced during the competition’s social media finale and ceremony at the Museum. The prize pool for the competition is over PLN 70,000.

The nominees for the POLIN 2022 Prize are: Katarzyna Laziuk, Mińsk Mazowiecki; Sądecki Sztetl, Nowy Sącz; Izabela Sekulska, Mielec; Magdalena Smoczyńska, Rabka, Zakopane; Michał Szaflarski, Czarny Dunajec and the School Complex in Krzepice.

The Museum of the History of Polish Jews points out that the competition jury nominates, awards and honours individuals or non-governmental organisations that in recent years have demonstrated an important, extraordinary action, attitude, work or statement with a significant impact on public awareness of the history of Polish Jews and on building Polish-Jewish relations.

Among the nominees were people who act out of a need of the heart or a sense of mission, putting in a lot of energy and time. In addition to individuals, the jury also shortlisted two organisations for the final of the competition. “This shows that working together to preserve the heritage of Polish Jews and standing together against indifference and oblivion brings results,” said Radosław Wójcik, head of the POLIN 2022 Prize competition.

The POLIN Prize has been awarded since 2015. The aim of the competition is to promote attitudes and actions in line with the museum’s mission. In last year’s competition, the main prize was granted to Dariusz Popiela.

The patron of the POLIN Prize 2022 competition is the Jankilevitsch Foundation and the co-organiser is the Association of the Jewish Historical Institute in Poland.

Adrian Andrzejewski