The Giants of Kujawy and Pomorze
We invite students of upper primary school grades (VI–VIII) and secondary schools to participate in the film competition “Brave Women on Camera”, which marks the conclusion of the third edition of the educational and historical project “Giants of Kujawy and Pomorze – Brave Women”. The deadline for submissions is May 15.
“This is a chance to learn about the stories of extraordinary women connected with our region – an artistic journey through time and an opportunity to showcase your creativity to a wider audience. I encourage you to step into the role of filmmaker and explorer – discover heroines whose stories deserve to be heard!” – said Marshal Piotr Całbecki, inviting students to take part in the competition.
The task for participants is to create, as a class, a short film biography (no longer than 120 seconds) dedicated to one of six remarkable women from our region whose lives and achievements continue to inspire future generations:
- Teresa Wieczorek-Ciepły – Olympic track and field athlete with a complete set of medals (gold, silver, bronze); represented the sports clubs ŁKS and Zawisza Bydgoszcz.
- Izabela Zbiegniewska – community activist and educator from Włocławek, committed to patriotic upbringing.
- Elżbieta Zawacka – liaison officer of the Polish Underground State from Toruń and the only female Cichociemna (elite special-operations paratroopers).
- Pola Negri – international film icon born in Lipno.
- Maria Znamierowska-Prüfferowa – founder of one of only three independent ethnographic museums in Poland and professor at Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń.
- Maria Karłowska – nun and founder of support networks for women in difficult life situations. She was the founder and first general superior of the Congregation of the Shepherd Sisters of Divine Providence, and is a beatified figure in the Catholic Church.
The finished video should be saved on a USB drive and either mailed or delivered in person to the General Brigadier Prof. Elżbieta Zawacka Pedagogical Library in Toruń or the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Teacher Training Centre in Włocławek. Submissions should include the note Giants of Kujawy and Pomorze. Videos can also be submitted electronically via email to: kobietyodwazne@cen.info.pl.
A jury will award six winning entries – three in each category: primary school (grades VI–VIII) and secondary school. The competition is a great opportunity for collaborative, creative work and a chance to win attractive prizes for both the class and the school.
The project “Giants of Kujawy and Pomorze – Brave Women” is hosted on the educational platform Edupolis.pl. Its editions are enriched with online meetings with history enthusiasts and educational materials prepared by the Pedagogical Library in Toruń, the Regional Pedagogical Library in Bydgoszcz, and the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Teacher Training Center in Włocławek.
Beata Krzemińska
Spokesperson of the Marshal’s Office
April 25, 2025