back...Final Gala of the Provincial Historical Competition 

On 27 May this year, in the temporary premises of the Museum of Polish Children – Victims of Totalitarianism, the final gala of the Provincial Historical Competition titled “We were only children. Gehenna of Polish Children During and After World War Two” took place. The competition was aimed at pupils in the seventh and eighth grades of primary schools from the Łódź Region. In addition to general knowledge of the times of German and Soviet occupation, the thematic scope included, in particular, issues relating to the fate of Polish children.

During the gala ceremony, the finalists of the Provincial Historical Competition “We were only children. Gehenna of Polish Children During and After the Second World War” received certificates, prizes and diplomas honouring their participation in the Competition.

“The primary aim of the three-stage competition was to encourage young people from primary schools to develop their interest in history. The theme of the Competition was not an easy one, as it concerned the suffering of the youngest victims of the Second World War. However, it is worth using such initiatives to encourage young people to deepen their knowledge of local history too,” said Dr Ireneusz Piotr Maj, director of the Museum of Polish Children – Victims of Totalitarianism.

The eight finalists of Stage 3 had information about their participation in the Competition written in their primary school leaving certificates and received additional points in the recruitment process for secondary schools.

The organisers of the Competition were: The Museum of Polish Children – Victims of Totalitarianism and the Board of Education in Łódź.

The official summary of the Competition was followed by a screening of the documentary “Nie poznałam Ciebie syneczku - historia Jurka Rutkowskiego” (“I didn't recognize you, my son - the story of Jurek Rutkowski”) produced by the Museum of Polish Children – Victims of Totalitarianism and directed by Magdalena Majewska. The task was co-financed by the Minister of Culture and National Heritage.

The event also included a meeting with Mr Jerzy Jeżewicz, a survivor of the German concentration camp for Polish children on Przemysłowa Street in Łódź.