INFORMATION PORTAL OF THE MARSHAL'S OFFICE OF THE KUJAWSKO-POMORSKIE Region IN TORUŃ

Modest in everyday life, smiling, full of cheerfulness, valuing family warmth and closeness to nature. Two remarkable women—twin sisters Aurelia Legumina and Władysława Zuchniarek—celebrated their 100th birthdays on Saturday (7 February). The Unitas Durat Palatinatus Cuiaviano-Pomeraniensis Marshal’s Medal was presented to the centenarians by Vice-Marshal of the Voivodeship Aneta Jędrzejewska.

“We meet today as a sign of appreciation for the effort and love you devoted to raising your children, so that the most important values could be passed on to future generations. Thank you for allowing me to take part, together with so many people, in this exceptional event. I wish you good health and all the very best,” said Deputy Marshal Aneta Jędrzejewska during the ceremony.

The sisters were born on 5 February 1926 in Bielki (Radziejów County). Their parents, Franciszek and Stanisława Kralski, had six daughters. Until 1939, their father served as a village head (wójt), while their mother ran the household and farm. The twins completed a five-year primary school in Topólka.

Their adolescence coincided with the difficult period of World War II. In May 1940, they were sent to a German Nazi camp in Łódź. Then, in July 1940, the entire family was displaced to the Lublin region, to the village of Wola Radzięcka (Biłgoraj County). They spent four and a half years there, working hard on a farm.

During that time, the family home and property were seized by the German occupiers. After the war ended, the twins returned to their native village, only to find that their farm had been completely destroyed and looted.

In the 1950s, the sisters married and started their own families.

Mrs. Władysława was the first to say her sacramental “I do” on 10 July 1950. Her husband, Czesław Zuchniarek, was a gardener with a passion for growing flowers and fruit trees. After the wedding, the couple settled in Chalno (Radziejów County). Their children—Józef, Longina, and Maria—were born there. After 15 years, the whole family returned to Bielki. Mrs. Władysława devoted herself to running the household and raising the children. She is now a grandmother of three and a great-grandmother of one.

Mrs. Aurelia married Jan Legumina in 1955. The couple settled in Smogorzewo near Włocławek, where they ran a farm and raised six children: Maciej, Wojciech, Maria, Lesław, Grzegorz, and Zofia. The senior has nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Both sisters enjoy working in the garden and value their connection with nature. Their relatives jokingly say that they inherited their longevity in their genes from their mother, who lived to the age of 102.

The regional government has been honoring centenarian residents of the region since 2018. Families of residents who will soon be turning 100, as well as those already over that age, are encouraged to get in touch by phone at +48 56 62 18 344 or by email at stulatkowie@kujawsko-pomorskie.pl.

More about the jubilarians can be found in the “Peers of Independence” section.

Press Office of the Marshal’s Office

10 February 2026