News
“If it were not for ten...” – awards for volunteers
“If it were not for ten...” is an award presented by the director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum to volunteers who have supported the Memorial Site. It was presented for the first time on to ten volunteers and representatives of the institution for their many years of voluntary support.
“The award is recognition and a show of gratitude to those whose hard work have contributed to the preservation and promotion of the memory of Auschwitz and the Holocaust,” said Anna Płoszczyca, head of the Volunteer Bureau. The honours where presented by the director of the Museum, Dr. Piotr M.A. Cywiński.
The first volunteers to be awarded are: Małgorzata Burek, Daria Czarnecka, Karolina Duda-Potapska, Renata Koszyk, Agnieszka Kowalczyk, Dr. Karin Wawrzynek and Rafał Woźniak, as well as representatives of three institutions that have provided support through volunteer activities at the Memorial Site: Dr. Witold Bobryk of the University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce, prof. Zbigniew Dyner of the St. Moravian School of Forestry and Ecology in Brynek and Christoph Heubner, who organises the visits of trainees from the Volkswagen concern.
Volunteers at the Memorial Site work in various parts of the museum, including the conservation and collections departments, at the Educational Centre, in the publishing house, library or office. Many of them support the Memorial Site remotely through, e.g. translation and proofreading. Every year a few hundred people participate in the various projects and programmes of the Museum.
Award winners
· Dr Witold Bobryk, University of Natural Sciences and Humanities in Siedlce
For many years, volunteer coordinator for the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum. University students performed volunteer work for various departments and the “PMAB” sections – e.g. Conservation and Volunteers Bureau.
· Prof. Zbigniew Dyner, St. Moravian School of Forestry and Ecology in Brynek
Cooperation between the school and the Museum, which was launched in January 1980, has been going on for over 30 years. For many years, until the spring of 2006, Professor Dyner came as a tutor with groups of young people to Auschwitz. During our long relationship, more than 1,000 students from the School of Forestry in Brynek have worked for the Museum.
· Christoph Heubner, organiser for visits of trainees from the Volkswagen concern
Since 1987, Volkswagen has organised trips for young people from vocational schools to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum. Mr. Heubner has come with German youth groups since 1990. They are accompanied by students from The Combined Schools of Commerce and Technology in Bielsko-Biała. As of 2011, within the framework of cooperation with the Museum, Auschwitz has hosted approx. 1,240 students from Germany and about 720 from Poland.
· Małgorzata Burek
For 3 years has assisted the Auschwitz Museum. Worked in the Archives, Volunteer Bureau, Programme Section, Education Centre, Scientific Department and Collections Department. Performs translations from and into English, German and Polish, transcripts of interviews and studies of former prisoners in electronic and paper form. Has described historical exhibits and helped in conferences, seminars, meetings and workshops organised by the Museum.
· Daria Czarnecka
For 4 years has been working with the Museum. During this time, was involved in assisting with the organisation of the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Helped and participated in conferences, seminars, meetings and workshops, transcribed and made studies of interviews with former prisoners. Has also worked for the Visitor Services Section, Exhibition Department, Library and Education Centre.
· Karolina Duda-Potapska
For 5 years has been engaged in voluntary activities. Worked in the Volunteer Bureau, Section of Images and Communications and the Archives. Conducted interviews with former prisoners of KL Auschwitz, transcribed and made studies of these interviews and has digitised video recordings. Has assisted in organising the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
· Renata Koszyk
For 6 years has supported the Museum with her work and commitment. During this time, has conducted interviews with former prisoners of KL Auschwitz within the framework of the project "Oral History", has transcribed and made studies of these interviews, frequently assisted in the organisation of the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz, supported the organisation of conferences, seminars, meetings and workshops for Polish and foreign groups, has provided information to visitors of the Museum and has taken care of temporary exhibitions.
· Agnieszka Kowalczyk
For 3 years has supported the Museum with her work. During this time, has assisted in the Archives, the Film Archive, the Volunteer Bureau, Programme Section, Section of Images and Communication, Exhibition Department, Secretariat of the Museum, Visitor Services Section and the Library. During her few years of activity, has carried out the digitisation of video and audio recordings, coping and editing recording and preparing them for use in lectures. Has repeatedly helped in organising the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz as well as many in conferences, seminars, meetings and workshops.
· Dr. Karin Wawrzynek
For 2 years has worked for the Museum, both on site and off. Has made particularly important contributions to the Archives, Scientific Department and Library. In addition to making transcriptions and studies of interviews with former prisoners, has performed translations, assisted in the preparation of thematic queries on the fate of former camp prisoners, has scanned and authenticated copies of archival materials and has created a computer database.
· Rafał Woźniak
Volunteer for 5 years. During this time, supporting the Volunteer Bureau, carried out interviews with former prisoners of KL Auschwitz within the framework of the project "Oral History", assisted in the organisation of the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Whilst living in Warsaw, cares for former prisoners, assists the Polish Association of the Former Prisoners of Nazi Prisons and Concentration Camps.
If it were not for ten...”
The title of the award relates directly to the biblical tale of Sodom and Gomorrah. The award will be granted annually (the first time in 2012) on the anniversary of establishment of the Auschwitz Museum on 2 July 1947. Each year, 10 prizes will be awarded. The award is in the form of an official letter and statuettes.
