Stories shape memory, and memory shapes our understanding of history. This year’s edition of the international competition “WWII 80 Years After. What Remains From the Second World War Today?” demonstrated how powerful contemporary journalism can be in confronting myth, trauma and responsibility across generations. The international Jury has now announced the laureates.
Main Awards
Written Category
Zbigniew Borek (Poland), The Icon with the Handbag
For a universal, intriguing and multi-layered piece. The article tells a compelling story while exposing the fallibility of narrative - how stories can transform into myth. It reveals the many dimensions of human fate, making judgement of people’s attitudes complex and far removed from a simple black-and-white perspective.
Audio Category
Kamil Hypki (Poland), The Longest March
For an outstanding example of critical journalism researching and popularising lesser-known facts from the local history of Zielona Góra/Grünberg. The programme focuses on female protagonists, shows how history emerges over time, and demonstrates remarkable effort in locating witnesses to past events.
Video Category
Piet de Blaauw & Jan Pieter Tuinstra (The Netherlands), Let’s Say Goodbye to the Night
For a documentary presenting the perspective of Jewish prisoners of the Sobibor extermination camp who chose to resist. The film portrays its protagonists as active individuals striving to regain control of their lives and stands out for its exceptional filmmaking quality.
Honourable Mentions
Written Category
Paula Szewczyk (Poland), We Dressed Up So as Not to Look Like Roma…
For a sensitive portrayal of the fate of the Roma community during the Second World War and for incorporating a female perspective.
Ryszard Pajura (Poland), The Most Important Thing Is That They Survived
For presenting multiple perspectives and reflecting the values of the ENRS.
Thomas Harding (UK), What Really Happened inside the Home of the Monster
For showing how ordinary narrative can reveal historical horror and offer an external perspective.
Olena Zelenina (Ukraine), The Countess vs. Krüger: How an Art History Professor Managed to Overcome the Gestapo Chief...
For sensitivity to historical nuance and consistency of approach in the author’s body of work.
Olga Doleśniak-Harczuk (Poland), Interview with Niklas Frank For the exceptional synergy between interviewer and interviewee.
Video Category
Beata Rzemieniuk and Magdalena Curzydło (Poland), Anna of Remembrance
For engaging storytelling, a charismatic protagonist and showing the role of the individual in preserving memory from the perspective of an inhabitant of Oświęcim.
“Facts, Not Fiction” project (Serbia)
For the engagement of young creators, a professional level of execution despite their age, and for combining journalism with artistic creativity.
Audio Category
Johanna Herzing (Germany), Rozette Kats – What It Means to Have Escaped the Nazis
For compelling narrative storytelling and addressing the trauma of war.
Michał Zaręba and Robert Duliński (Poland), Seeds of Fate
For exploring oral history at the local level and creating investigative journalism that vividly presents individual moral dilemmas.
About the Competition
The Jury was chaired by Rafał Rogulski, Director of the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS).
Written Category Jury
• Prof. Florin Abraham
• Keith Lowe
• Susanne Menge
• Prof. Attila Pók
Audio & Video Jury
• Prof. Catherine Horel
• Dr Pavla Plachá
• Dr Jerguš Sivoš
• Magdalena Żelazowska
A total of 139 submissions from 69 authors representing 27 countries were received. After formal verification, the Jury evaluated 132 works:
• 90 written
• 29 audio
• 13 video
The majority of entries came from Central and Eastern Europe, particularly Poland and Ukraine.
Congratulations to all laureates and participants!