Polish Post awarded the golden BohaterON medal named after the Warsaw Insurgents
On November 5th, Poczta Polska received the golden BohaterON award named after the Warsaw Uprising Insurgents in the Company category. This unique trophy honors individuals and institutions whose activities specifically promote knowledge of 20th-century Polish history and historical and patriotic education. BohaterON awards also recognize those who embody the values that guided the Warsaw Uprising Insurgents.
The Award winners were selected in seven categories: company, institution, teacher, public figure, journalist, non-profit organization and enthusiast; in each of them, three distinctions – bronze, silver and gold BohaterON – were awarded by the members of the Award Committee; and one – the Golden BohaterON of the Public – was awarded by internet users in a vote on our website.
The distinction in the Company category, which Poczta Polska received, is awarded to entities that conducted their own activities of a historical and patriotic nature or sponsored projects and events in this area implemented by other people, organizations or institutions.
" We are very proud to have received the BohaterONa award. Activities promoting Polish history are part of Poczta Polska's long-standing mission. Since its inception, we have been a partner of the BohaterON campaign, a truly valuable initiative. Our philatelic issues and book publications provide history lessons for generations of Poles. We also consider participating in projects that promote knowledge about Poland's history, important events, and personalities to be a social responsibility we will continue to fulfill, " said Krzysztof Falkowski, President of Poczta Polska.
This year's winners were selected by a jury composed of representatives of the Polish government, historians, public figures, veterans' groups, and ambassadors. Internet users also influenced the results.
The 2022 BohaterOn Award was presented to the Company in recognition of its numerous initiatives, aimed at preserving the memory of the most important events in Polish history. These included philatelic issues. In recent years alone, the Company has introduced stamps and postcards commemorating World War II heroes (including Poles Saving Jews, Anders' Army, Heroes of the Grey Ranks, Poles in Siberia, and the Nine from Uncle's House) and important historical events (e.g., the Silesian Uprising, the Defense of the Polish Post Office in Gdańsk, and the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Home Army – Iwona Krugłowska). In cooperation with the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN), the Military Historical Office, and the Polish Army Museum, the Company has published two albums commemorating postal workers who heroically fought for freedom, independence, and Polishness, and who participated in the Warsaw Uprising. They include, among other things, unique documents – personal files and archival photos from the archives of the Polish Post, which is the largest and most valuable company archive in Poland and a treasure trove of knowledge of particular historical significance.
The Polish Post also promotes historical knowledge at its post offices. Many valuable historical publications are available year-round. Exhibitions are also held here, focusing on historical events and figures, including the Defense of the Polish Post Office in Gdańsk, the anniversary of the Battle of Warsaw, the NKVD (Anti-)Polish Operation, and Postal Workers in the Warsaw Uprising.
" Poczta Polska is involved in valuable historical projects. Many of them are initiated independently, collaborating with renowned historians and academic institutions. We strive to convey reliable and valuable information that will expand public knowledge about national heroes and the events that shaped our shared identity," said Wojciech Krysztofik, Vice President of Poczta Polska.
Poczta Polska is also a partner in projects commemorating historical events. The company has participated in, among other initiatives, the "Memorial Plaques" campaign, which provides mobile app access to locations and information about plaques commemorating Warsaw Uprising participants.
Each year, postal workers pay tribute to participants in important historical events by laying flowers at memorial sites and participating in anniversary commemorations. These include the outbreak of World War II, the Defense of the Polish Post Office in Gdańsk, and the Warsaw Uprising. The company also organizes annual meetings with the Families of Former Polish Post Employees Circle in the Free City of Gdańsk, bringing the local community together and fostering the memory of the Defenders of the Polish Post Office in Gdańsk. Employees also actively participate in historical projects – they are members of the Banner Post and reenactment groups, and they collect and share historical memorabilia with contemporary audiences.
In 2021, for its efforts to cultivate Polish history and tradition, Poczta Polska also received a special "Guardian of Memory" award. This award honors entities that particularly preserve historical memory.
