On 24th November, the University of Warsaw hosted the Polonicum Award ceremony, which recognises individuals and institutions outside Poland for outstanding achievements in promoting the Polish language, history and culture around the world. The winner of this year’s edition was Dr Mirosław Dawlewicz, long-time head of the Centre for Polish Studies at Vilnius University. Honourable mentions were awarded to Dr Anastazja Chatzigiannidi, Prof. Richard Sokoloski and Bárbara Cristina Gill.

The Polonicum 2025 Award ceremony took place on 24th November in the Senate Hall of the Casimir Palace. Established by Prof. Ryszard Kulesza, the award has been honouring individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of Polish culture since 2006 – researchers, translators, educators and cultural animators who build bridges between Poland and the world.

“The Polonicum Award is one of the most important distinctions honouring outstanding achievements in the promotion of the Polish language, history and culture around the world. I congratulate the winner and all those who have been honoured. The award is a symbol of recognition for achievements to date and, at the same time, an incentive to further strengthen intercultural dialogue and develop Polish studies,” said Prof. Sambor Grucza, the UW Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Human Resources, during his speech inaugurating the event.

This year’s Polonicum Award went to Dr Mirosław Dawlewicz, long-time head of the Centre for Polish Studies at Vilnius University – an outstanding linguist specialising in Polish language culture, lexicology and sociolinguistics of the Polish language in the northern borderlands.

Dr Dawlewicz is the author of highly regarded publications, including the monograph Słownictwo socjolektu młodzieży polskiego pochodzenia w Wilnie (ENG: Vocabulary of the Sociolect of Polish Youth in Vilnius), as well as numerous works on grammar and lexicology. He actively participates in Polish studies in Lithuania, including as a member of the Polish Language Olympiad committee.

His activities also include cooperation with academic centres and organisations supporting the Polish language. In 2018, he was awarded the Gold Cross of Merit of the Republic of Poland for his contribution to the development of Polish culture and education. The jury awarded him the prize for his consistent efforts to build and develop the Centre for Polish Studies at Vilnius University and for promoting knowledge of the Polish language among people of Polish and non-Polish origin in Lithuania.

The event was attended by representatives of academia, culture and state institutions, including: Prof. Andrzej Szeptycki, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, Dr Mateusz Szpytma, Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance, Artur Kozłowski, Director of the Polish Diaspora Office of the Senate Chancellery, Dr Łukasz Gołota and Dr Damian Syjczak, Deputy Directors of the National Agency for Academic Exchange, Alicja Tunk, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and Promotion of Poland at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Prof. Józef Wróbel, Vice-President of the “Wspólnota Polska” Association. The University of Warsaw was represented by Prof. Sambor Grucza, Vice-Rector for Cooperation and Human Resources, and Prof. Ewa Krogulec, Vice-Rector for Development.

Polonicum 2025 Honourable Mentions

The Polonicum Award Committee also awarded three honourable mentions, which went to:

• Dr Anastazja Chatzigiannidi – translator of Polish literature into Greek and lecturer at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Dr Chatzigiannidi introduces Greek readers to classical and contemporary Polish literature, translating the works of Władysław Reymont, Olga Tokarczuk, Zbigniew Herbert and Marek Krajewski. Her teaching and translation work has played a key role in the development of Polish studies in Athens and in spreading knowledge about Polish culture in Greece.
• Richard Sokoloski – researcher and populariser of Polish culture in North America. For many years, Prof. Sokoloski developed a Polish studies programme, which became one of the most important centres for Polish studies in the region. Thanks to his work, numerous generations of students have learned about Polish literature, history and culture. He is the author of highly regarded publications and a speaker at conferences devoted to Poland. He has been awarded four times by the Polish state, including the Gloria Artis Medal for Merit to Culture in 2023.
• Bárbara Cristina Gill – translator of Polish literature into Spanish, collaborating with Polish community institutions in Latin America. Since 2005, she has been translating the works of Polish writers, including Stanisław Lem and Kazimierz Brandys, contributing significantly to the popularisation of Polish literature in the Spanish-speaking world. The award is a recognition of her many years of work promoting the international presence of Polish culture. The award was received on her behalf by Alicja Tunk, Deputy Director of the Department of Cultural Diplomacy and Promotion of Poland.