On October 23, 2024, during a ceremonial gala at the Palace on the Isle in the Royal Łazienki Park in Warsaw, the Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance, Dr. Hab. Karol Polejowski, presented the IPN “Ambassador of Polish History” awards.
This year’s winners of the Award are: Karol Biernacki from Hungary, Bartłomiej Moszoro from Argentina, Gilbert Van Landschoot and the “Vereniging Eerste Poolse Pantserdivisie België” vzw (“Association of the First Polish Armored Division”) from Belgium, the “British Poles” Portal, and the “Polish Sue Association” from Great Britain.
The Argentine Ambassador to Poland, Alicia Irene Falkowski, emphasized the key role of Bartłomiej Moszoro – a good and solid Argentine citizen and a great friend and representative of Poland and Poles – in raising awareness of the Argentines about the history of his native country; understanding the “Polish cause”.
The General Representative of Flanders in Poland and the Baltic States, Matthias De Moor, appreciated the importance of the “Ambassador of Polish History” award, granted to Belgian citizens who do not let us forget about the heroes, about Polish soldiers fighting for freedom.
All laureates have one thing in common – personal ties with Poland and Poles. These ties are not only blood ties, but also shared, sometimes very personal historical experiences. Bartłomiej Moszoro dedicated the Award to his parents, who raised him in love of Poland, for which he is very grateful. Gilbert Van Landschoot remembers the words of his father, who told him how Polish soldiers saved his children, and thus himself.
The awards for the “British Poles” Portal and the “Polish Sue Association” from Great Britain were presented on 7 October 2024 by the President of the Institute of National Remembrance, Dr. Karol Nawrocki, during the opening of the “Trails of Hope. Odyssey of Freedom” Exhibition in the British Parliament. During the ceremony in Warsaw, Krzysztof Ziemiec read a letter from Iwona Golińska, the founder of the Association. She said:
“I stand before you today with profound gratitude and humility as I accept this remarkable honor of being named an Ambassador of Polish History by Institute of National Remembrance. It is a role that comes not only with prestige, but with great responsibility – a responsibility to preserve, share, and bring to life the stories of our past for future generations.
A nation that does not respect its past has no future – said Polish statesman Marshal Jozef Piłsudski.
He emphasised the importance of understanding and respecting history, not as a way to be bound by it, but to use it as a foundation for building a stronger future.
I am deeply aware of the significance of our shared history – Polish and British. My grandfather Feliks Golinski was part of the Polish AirForce during the War – Polish Squadrons 302 and 316, like many other Polish airmen, he was fighting along the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain. My mother- law Łucja Golińska was deported to Soviet Gulag in Syberia by Russian totalitarian regime where she embarked on the journey with General Władysław Anders and, through three continents, she finally reached freedom in Great Britain.Our family history is a bridge that connects generations, and nations – teaching us empathy, and a deeper understanding of our place in the World.
I would like to express my gratitude to the National Remembrance Institute and also my teachers and my family – who have guided me and inspired my love for history.
As I accept this recognition, I pledge to continue working with passion to make history accessible to all, especially to the young people like my son, who will shape our future.
Thank you once again, Institute of National Remembrance, for this extraordinary honor”.
During the awards ceremony, the Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance, Dr. Habil. Karol Polejowski, said:
“Truth is the most important and memory is the most important. These are two extremely important elements of consciousness. Without memory, we lose the past and are condemned to non-existence. What will we pass on to the generations?”
He also added that caring for memory is the mission of the Institute of National Remembrance, emphasizing at the same time that the activities of the laureates are consistent with what the Institute deals with. Deputy President of the Institute of National Remembrance, Dr. Habil. Karol Polejowski thanked all the laureates for their mission and dedication to cultivating Polish history, expressing hope that they will never cease in this mission.
In addition to the laureates, the ceremony was attended by, among others: advisor to the President of the Republic of Poland Dr. Barbara Fedyszak-Radziejowska, Chargé d’affaires of the Hungarian Embassy Balázs Dobri, counselor of the Belgian Embassy Arthur d’Anethan, General Representative of Flanders in Poland and the Baltic States Matthias De Moor, as well as the families of the laureates, directors and representatives of many cultural institutions and media.
The presentation of the medals was accompanied by the reading of short biographies of the laureates and moving words of thanks from the honored persons.
The winners of the “Ambassador of Polish History” award, who were awarded during the ceremony in Warsaw:
Karol Biernacki
Gilbert Van Landschoot
Bartłomiej Moszoro
“Vereniging Eerste Poolse Pantserdivisie België”
The winners of the “Ambassador of Polish History” award, who were awarded on 7 October 2024 during the presentation of the IPN exhibition “Trails of Hope. Odyssey of Freedom” in the British Parliament. The awards were received by: Iwona Golińska, president of the association, and George Byczyński, editor-in-chief of the portal.
“British Poles” portal
“Polish Sue Association”
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Polish Sue 
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