Award-winning novel “Three” by Gabriela Pawlina poses difficult questions

Our Crime Debut of the Year has been awarded to the novel “Three,” and its author Gabriela Pawlina received the Literary Award of the Marshal of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region on Saturday (April 25). The honorary patrons of the Nationwide Festival of Premieres and Debuts “Criminal Constellation: Kujawsko-Pomorskie,” organized by the Copernicus Library and the Kult Kultury Foundation, were Marshal Piotr Całbecki and President of the Regional Parliament Elżbieta Piniewska. The event was financially supported by the regional government.

“The banality of evil, so aptly described by Hannah Arendt, in the age of social media has become an epidemic raging not only in Western societies. Here, cruelty and violence—appearing without reflection, instinctively, almost ‘naturally,’ spontaneously—collide with extreme egoism. This is becoming a way of life for an increasing number of people. Why is this happening? Why are younger and younger people moving forward not only over metaphorical dead bodies? These are the questions Gabriela Pawlina addresses in her novel. Although ‘Three’ is not a report but a work of fiction—let us add: a very good one—it tells yet another story from the kind that make front-page news and still shock us,” said jury chairman Ryszard Ćwirlej in his laudation during the final gala.

The commemorative statuette was presented to the winner by Dariusz Kurzawa, a member of the regional board.

The Award of the Director of the Copernicus Library in Toruń, Danetta Ryszkowska-Mirowska, for editing the award-winning novel “Three” was presented to Karolina Borowiec-Pieniak. This distinction recognizes professionalism, commitment, and a significant contribution to the final shape and high quality of the book.

The Criminal Constellation Festival of Premieres and Debuts was also an opportunity to showcase new publications and meet authors. Special guests included Scottish crime master Ian Rankin and Czech writer Michal Sýkora.

Copernicus Library and the Press Office of the Marshal’s Office

April 27, 2026