Receiving two awards—one from the Jury and one in online voting—confirms the nationwide impact of the Sybir Memorial Museum’s work. The public’s recognition is particularly meaningful: the large number of votes cast for the Museum demonstrates that the story of Siberian deportations continues to move and engage a wide audience, while also strengthening Białystok’s place on the map of sites important to Polish historical memory.

The Jury emphasised that the Museum was honoured “for its exceptional commitment to preserving the memory of Poles deported to the East and for its modern and deeply moving approach to historical education. For bridging past and present in the spirit of truth, respect, and dialogue between nations. The Sybir Memorial Museum in Białystok proves that historical memory can be alive, inspiring, and deeply human—and that patriotism is expressed not only in honouring heroes, but also in safeguarding their stories for future generations.”

This justification reflects the Museum’s core areas of activity: documenting the fates of deportees, conducting research, developing innovative education, and fostering dialogue around difficult history.

Tadeusz Truskolaski, Mayor of Białystok, stated:

“I receive the news of yet another success of the Sybir Memorial Museum with great pride and satisfaction. This award confirms that the Museum’s team—their passion, dedication, and sensitivity in telling the stories of ‘Sybiraks’—builds not only historical memory but also the contemporary identity of our city and of Poland as a whole. Białystok can be proud that it is home to an institution that presents history in such a moving and modern way, teaching responsible patriotism. I congratulate the entire team of the Sybir Memorial Museum and thank you for your daily work, which has been so beautifully recognised by both the Jury and the public.”

Prof. Wojciech Śleszyński, Director of the Sybir Memorial Museum, added:

“We treat this award as a commitment to those whose stories we tell. The Gold BohaterON from the Jury and the Gold BohaterON Public Award are particularly valuable to us—on the one hand, they confirm the recognition of expert circles, and on the other, they show that the Museum’s message reaches a wide audience across the country. This gesture of trust motivates us to continue our systematic work to preserve and share the memory of Siberian deportations.”

The BohaterON Awards, named after the Warsaw Uprising Fighters, are granted to individuals, institutions, organisations and companies that promote Polish history from 1918 to 1989, develop historical and patriotic education, and foster modern forms of patriotism based on the values represented by the participants of the Warsaw Uprising. The awards are presented in eight categories: company, institution, teacher, public figure, journalist, non-profit organisation, enthusiast and—new in 2025—creator. Winners are selected by a Jury composed of representatives of state institutions, historians, public figures, representatives of veterans’ organisations and project ambassadors. The Jury awards Bronze, Silver and Gold BohaterONs in each category, while the Gold BohaterON Public Award is decided by public online voting. The year 2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the nationwide “BohaterON – turn on history!” campaign, which further highlights the prestige of this year’s awards.

The official award ceremony for the 2025 BohaterON Awards took place on 12 November 2025 in the Witold Lutosławski Concert Studio of Polish Radio in Warsaw. The event was attended by government representatives, Warsaw Uprising Fighters, cultural and educational institutions, NGOs and the media. The gala concluded another edition of the nationwide effort to commemorate the Warsaw Uprising Fighters and promote 20th-century Polish history.

Main BohaterON 2025 Laureates

INSTITUTION

• Gold BohaterON: The Sybir Memorial Museum
• Silver BohaterON: Home Army Museum in Kraków
• Bronze BohaterON: National Freedom Institute – Centre for Civil Society Development
• Gold BohaterON Public Award: The Sybir Memorial Museum

NON-PROFIT ORGANISATION

• Gold BohaterON: “Little Prince” Children’s Hospice
• Silver BohaterON: Polish Medical Mission
• Bronze BohaterON: “Give a Cup of Tea” Foundation
• Gold BohaterON Public Award: “Little Prince” Children’s Hospice

COMPANY

• Gold BohaterON: Modular System
• Silver BohaterON: InPost – Parcel Lockers & Courier Services
• Bronze BohaterON: Sanplast
• Gold BohaterON Public Award: InPost – Parcel Lockers & Courier Services

TEACHER

• Gold BohaterON: Ewelina Dąbrowska, Gastronomy and Hospitality School Complex in Grudziądz
• Silver BohaterON: Edyta Mak, Navigo Private Primary School in Poznań
• Bronze BohaterON: Marek Kasprzak, School and Kindergarten Complex in Rożnów
• Gold BohaterON Public Award: Jarosław Frąckiewicz, Maria Konopnicka Primary School in Stężyca

PUBLIC FIGURE

• Gold BohaterON: Hanna Radziejowska – culture manager, curator, museum professional, historian
• Silver BohaterON: Agnieszka Sienkiewicz-Gauer – actress, social activist
• Bronze BohaterON: Julia Pietrucha, Natalia Pietrucha & Miuosh – creators of the album Sierpniowe
• Gold BohaterON Public Award: Katarzyna Dowbor – journalist and TV presenter

JOURNALIST

• Gold BohaterON: Magdalena Mioduska, Polsat News
• Silver BohaterON: Kamil Hypki, Radio Zachód
• Bronze BohaterON: Krzysztof Grzybowski, PolskieRadio24.pl, author of TurboHistoria
• Gold BohaterON Public Award: Cezary Korycki, author of the series History You Don’t Know

ENTHUSIAST

• Gold BohaterON: Beata Potocka – educator, advocate and practitioner of foster and adoptive care
• Silver BohaterON: Mariusz Klarecki – art historian, researcher of wartime losses
• Bronze BohaterON: Grzegorz Musidlak – populariser of local history
• Gold BohaterON Public Award: Beata Potocka

CREATOR (new category)

• Gold BohaterON: Agnieszka Przepiórska & Maja Kleczewska – author and director of the play OCALONE
• Silver BohaterON: Maciej Mydlak – actor and director, creator of radio dramas at Polish Radio Białystok
• Bronze BohaterON: Mirosław Basaj – cinematographer
• Gold BohaterON Public Award: Agnieszka Przepiórska & Maja Kleczewska