We help students learn the history of their nation: history contest „Do I know the history of Poland?”

A history contest „Do I know the history of Poland?” organized for several years now by the Polish School Teachers’ Association „Macierz szkolna” was held in the Polish Community Center in Vilnius.  

„There is no history of Poland class as a separate subject in a school curriculum. There are only electives. That’s why the association „Macierz szkolna” helps students learn the history of their nation. We have been organizing the contest „Do I know the history of Poland?” for many years now. With each year the number of participants goes up. Today there are approximately 60 students from each region. On the test there are questions about the history of Poland from its early days up until today.” Józef Kwiatkowski, the president of „Maciesz szkolna” and member of Parliament, told PL DELFI.

Students from grade 10 took part in the contest. They had half an hour to finish the test. When the tests were evaluated, the participants went sightseeing in Vilnius.  

„Every year during the evaluation of tests we organize a historical and literary tour of Vilnius. However, 10 of the best contestants not only will receive book prizes, but also will be able to go for a week long trip around Lithuania. We visit famous historical places, we travel on the Armia Krajowa (Home Army) trail. We start in Vilnius where we visit Rasos Cemetery, then Paneriai, Krawczuny,  Kolonia Wileńska (neighborhoods of Vilnius). The plan of a journey is the same every year, it doesn’t change.  After Vilnius, we visit Trakai, Kernawa, Kaunas. Then we travel alongside the Neman River, on the trail straight to Klaipeda where we visit the seaside and then we travel through the Hill of Crosses in Siauliai and go back to Vilnius.” Kwiatkowski said.

The winners:
1. Ewelina Kołoszewska – Secondary School in Jeruzales  (38,5 pt.)
2. Agata Gornatkiewicz – John Paul II Middle School in Vilnius (38 pt.)
3. Dorota Kalaszewska – Secondary School in Mickunai , Vilnius district (37 pt.)
4. Agata Sadowska – St. S. Kostka Secondary School in Paberze, Vilnius district (37 pt.)
5. Krzysztof Szejbak – Sz. Konarski Secondary School in Vilnius (35 pt.)
6. Agata Irena Jasińska – Elementary School in Dukstu , Vilnius district (35 pt.)
7. Rajmond Maldis – St. Moniuszki Middle School in Kalveliu , Salcininkai District (35 pt.)
8. Dariusz Cilindz – Middle School in Ejsiskes, Salcininkai District (34,5 pt.)
9. Ewelina Borkowska – M. Balińskiego Secondary School in Jasiunai, Salcininkai District (34,5 pt.)
10. Daniel Rogoża – Middle School in Ejsiskes, Salcininkai District (34 pt.)

Source: http://pl.delfi.lt/kultura/kultura/pomagamy-uczniom-w-zapoznaniu-sie-z-historia-swojego-narodu.d?id=61134517

Tłumaczenie Justyna Kaczmarek w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Justyna Kaczmarek within the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.