The Jan Karski Institute for War Losses and the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression announce the ‘Witness to Polish History’ competition – 2025 edition

The memory of the losses suffered is the foundation of our common national identity. To ensure that the memories passed down in families, neighbourhoods and circles of friends are not lost forever, we invite you to preserve and record them.

Together, we are announcing a nationwide competition entitled ‘Witness to Polish History’, aimed at primary and secondary school pupils.

Aim of the competition
To encourage the younger generation to meet people who directly experienced key events of the 20th century, such as World War II, repression or resistance to the communist system, and to record these meetings in the form of creative accounts.

Competition tasks. 
Student team:

Organises a meeting with a Witness to Polish History (e.g. a veteran, a victim of repression or an opposition activist);

Creates an account of the meeting (film, audio material, reportage, etc.);

Publishes it on the internet (e.g. on the school's website);

Sends the application together with a link to their work.

Schedule
Submission deadline: 1 September – 31 October 2025

Prizes
• Financial prize – PLN 1,000 for the team.
• Special prize – participation in a foreign state delegation at patriotic celebrations in 2026 (organisation and costs covered by the organisers).

Participation in the competition is not only a chance to win a prize, but above all a unique opportunity to learn about history first-hand and create a lasting memory.

Invitations to participate will be sent to schools by the education authority. The rules and detailed information are available on the official websites of the Institute of War Losses – instytutstratwojennych.pl and the Office for War Veterans and Victims of Oppression – kombatanci.gov.pl.

Do you have any questions? Check here to find answers to the most frequently asked questions about the competition — go to Q&A.