Culture Prize 2023: PolenmARkT e. V. as a bridge builder between cultures!

Culture Prize 2023: PolenmARkT e. V. as a bridge builder between cultures!

The Vorpommern-Greifswald district has decided to award its 2023 Culture Prize to the PolenmARkT e. V. to lend. This was announced on May 2, 2025. District Administrator Michael Sack praised the association's many years of cross-border cultural work, which has shaped cultural life in the region for 28 years. The association has the important role of promoting cultural connections between Germany and Poland and makes a significant contribution to social cohesion in the region. The Poland Market e. V. has organized several hundred events over the years, including concerts, readings and discussion groups.

The call for proposals for the 2025 Culture Prize is aimed at artistic projects, cultural initiatives, clubs, associations and individual artists. Target groups are people of all ages, with the focus being on locally identity-forming and nationally radiant projects. The association, which emerged from the commitment of employees at the University of Greifswald, has established itself as an important partner and sponsor.

Cultural bridges and the meaning of encounters

The Poland Market e. V. plays an essential role in intercultural exchange. It brings people from Poland and Germany together, including young and old, students and artists. Dr. Marek Fiałek, the festival's artistic director, emphasizes the importance of an active neighborhood in the border region. According to Fiałek, structure, reliability and continuity are crucial for German-Polish cooperation and cultural education. The association sees its work as essential for creating cultural bridges, especially to the Philharmonic in Stettin and to festivals such as JUWENALIA and the jazz festival in Międzyzdroje.

The importance of the culture prize also shows the connection to other regions, such as the Silesia Culture Prize, which honors contributions to German-Polish ties. The prize has been awarded annually since 1977 in Lower Saxony and Lower Silesia. Minister Daniela Behrens, who chairs the jury, emphasizes the symbolic importance of this award for the sense of community and intercultural dialogue.

Awards ceremony in Wroclaw

On February 19, 2025, a catch-up event for the 48th Silesian Culture Prize took place in Wroclaw. Previously, the gala in Braunschweig in September 2024 could not take place with the participation of the Polish delegation due to flooding. The guests of honor included Paweł Gancarz, Marshal of the Lower Silesian Voivodeship, as well as Jarosław Rabczenko and Daniela Behrens.

Among others, Prof. Dr. Ewa Chojecka for her contributions to Central European art and the rural community of Peterwitz/Stoszowice, which was represented by its community leader Katarzyna Ruszkowska. The “Silberberg Fortress” was recognized for its role as an important center for German-Polish encounters. The recognition of these initiatives underlines the importance of promoting cultural heritage in the region.

Overall, it can be seen that the Poland mARkT e. V. and the Silesian Culture Prize are central actors in German-Polish cultural exchange. These initiatives help to build bridges between cultures and promote understanding in Europe. The next gala awarding of the Silesia Culture Prize will take place on September 20, 2025 in Waldenburg/Walbrzych.