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Today, 25 September, at the Opole Philharmonic, the special jubilee Jan and Wojciech Wawrzynek Prize was presented. It was given to Dr. Violetta Rezler-Wasielewska, director of the Central Museum of Prisoners-of-War.

The unique initiative of the Opole Wawrzynek family, founders of the Jan and Wojciech Wawrzynek Prize for the best MA thesis on Silesian issues, has been ongoing for 30 years. On the occasion of this jubilee, the Silesian Institute, which has been implementing the idea from the beginning, organized a gala event. In addition to awarding the prize-winners of last year's and this year's editions, the Chapter selected one of the 36 works which have been awarded between 1991 and 2021. The thesis entitled Z dziejów rodu Gomołów [The history of Gomoł Family] by Violetta Rezler-Wasielewska, defended at the Higher School of Pedagogy in Opole (the thesis supervisor was Prof. Wiesław Lesiuk, 1991) was recognised as the best master's thesis. The director received the prize from Jacek Wawrzynek, president of the Chapter, and Dr. Bartosz Kuświk, director of the Silesian Institute, while Agnieszka Kamińska, director of the Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, presented her with a congratulation letter signed by Andrzej Buła, Marshal of the Opole Province.

The award jubilee was also an opportunity to honour the Wawrzynek family. The Minister of Culture, National Heritage and Sport awarded Jacek Wawrzynek the badge of honour 'Distinguished for Polish Culture'. It was presented to him by Violetta Porowska MP.

The gala was accompanied by an exhibition, presented in the lobby of the philharmonic hall, dedicated to the history of the Jan and Wojciech Wawrzynek Prize and its founders.