Antonina Ciosek from Władysław Syrokomla High School in Vilnius has won the 9th edition of the Polish History Olympiad for Polonia and Poles Abroad. The final results of the competition were announced during a ceremony at the Polish Senate. A total of 22 participants from 10 countries qualified for the finals.
History as a Key to Identity
The 2025 edition of the Olympiad focused on outstanding Polish figures – the official patrons of 2024, as named by the Polish Senate, along with Marshal Józef Piłsudski.
“This Olympiad is vital because it shows your desire to learn more about the land of your ancestors, your roots. To truly understand Poland and the Polish people, it is essential to comprehend their history. Without a solid grasp of history, it’s difficult to talk about the future,” said Speaker of the Senate Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska.
She emphasized that values such as freedom and independence were essential to the most significant figures in Polish history, including Piłsudski himself. “In times like ours, with the world rapidly changing and facing many threats, it is all the more important to remember that these values are not given once and for all. We must strive for them and protect them,” she added.
The Speaker also highlighted the involvement of dozens of Polish schools abroad in the Olympiad. She encouraged the young history enthusiasts not only to deepen their knowledge of Poland but also to consider returning to their ancestral homeland or studying in Poland.
Polish Identity First
The Polish History Olympiad for Polonia and Poles Abroad is a joint initiative of the Polish Historical Society and the Freedom and Democracy Foundation.
“Our top priority is building lasting bonds between young people of Polish descent – those born and raised outside Poland – and the land of their forefathers. What better way to do that than through historical education, and in the Polish language?” said Lilia Luboniewicz, president of the Freedom and Democracy Foundation.
She stressed the importance of the dedication shown not only by the finalists and winners but also by their teachers, who sparked in them a passion for history and identity. “Each one of you is a winner,” she concluded.
Honoring the Winners
Antonina Ciosek won the competition with an impressive 124 out of 125 points.
“I’m proud of my students’ achievements,” said Maryna Taraszkiewicz of the Władysław Syrokomla High School in Vilnius. Second place went to Marcelina Duszar from St. Mary Magdalene High School No. 10 in Lviv. Third place was awarded to Ádám Bisztrai of the Sándor Petőfi Polish School at the Polish Embassy in Budapest.
The winners presented flowers and words of thanks to the Speaker of the Senate in recognition of the upper chamber’s support for organizing the Olympiad. The event was funded through the “Senate–Polonia 2025” grant program.
Family News Service
photo: Tomasz Ozdoba, Chancellery of the Senate, senat.gov.pl