Warsaw Uprising in memories of the young citizens of Vilnius

It has been 70 years since Warsaw Uprising outbreak. This round anniversary of the heroic spurt of the patriots drives us to an appropriate celebration of the memory of that time and those people. For that reason, Vilnius Local Branch of Polish Unions in Lithuania organised a contest between schools, which was devoted to one of the most important events in Polish history of XX century, namely the 70 anniversary of Warsaw Uprising.

The school contest checking the knowledge about Warsaw Uprising took place in the Polish Community Centre in Vilnius and among participants were seven of Vilnius schools: John Paul II Junior High School in Vilnius, Adam Mickiewicz Junior High School in Vilnius, Szymon Konarski High School , Joachim Lelewel High School in Vilnius, Wł. Syrokomla High School in Vilnius, John Paul II Pro-High School in Vilnius and Primary School in Lipówka in Vilnis.

The main idea behind the contest was to make young people interested in Polish history, as well as to encourage them to its conscious learning.

“Our intention is to create and support patriotic attitude and our young people’s sensibility for Polish experience of The World War II and Warsaw Uprising. The aim is to spread memory about the uprising and the knowledge of how important it was for Polish history”. This is what Walery Jagliński, “70 anniversary of Warsaw Uprising” contest coordinator, said to the journalist from Wilnoteka.

The participants, who were 8-9 grade students from Vilnius schools, competed in 7 rounds.

Alicja Piotrowicz, chairperson of ZPL (Association of Poles in Lithuania) in Vilnius added “The contest’s aim was to encourage the students to look at Warsaw in a different than usual light. To see it not only as the town which charms with its beautiful Main Square, gorgeous Łazienki Park, enchanting Wilanów, but look at it also from the perspective of its history”.

After completing 7 competitive tasks, the evaluation committee revealed the winners.

In the speech to the participants of the contest, Anna Makowska, the member of the evaluation committee, said “It was a very difficult decision. Your creativity in performing your tasks was a pleasant surprise for us. Your level was really equal and the competition lasted till the very end.”

After final summary of the results, the laureates are:

I place – Szymon Konarski High School in Vilnius

II place – Adam Mickiewicz Junior High School in Vilnius

III place – John Paul II Junior High Schol in Vilnius

The prize for the winners (I-III) is a trip to Poland, which consists of visit in Warsaw Uprising Museum. The prize was funded by “Polish Community” Association.

Special certificates for devotion and support given to the participants during their preparation to the contest were handed in to history teachers:

Acknowledgements for:

1. Irena Pryszczepionokiene – Primary School in Lipówka
2. Maria Narkiewicz – Wł. Syrokomla High School in Vilnius
3. Wiesława Malewska- Joachim Lelewel High School in Vilnius
4. Beata Antonienko- John Paul II Pro-High School in Vilnius
5. Anna Makowska-Adama Mickiewicza Junior High School in Vilnius
6. Janina Wołodkiewicz- John Paul II Junior High School in Vilnius
7. Beata Kowalewska- Szymona Konarskiego High School in Vilnius

Gabriela Tomaszewicz, the student from 1B grade in John Paul II Junior High School in Vilnius said “The participation in the contests of that type promotes improving the knowledge about important events from Polish history. It was a truly wonderful and self-improving experience.”