The essay contest’s central theme revolved around amplifying the voices that were often marginalized and overlooked during that tumultuous period of history. It strived to bring attention to the unique experiences, challenges, and acts of resistance carried out by women in three European countries, who fought against the tyranny, discrimination, and persecution imposed by the National Socialist regime.
The essay contest ended with an award ceremony in Leipzig and public readings in Poland and in the Czech Republic.
Prize Ceremony in Leipzig
On October, 25 2024 in the rooms of the Zeitgeschlichtliches Forum Leipzig we announced the winners of the contest and presented the publication based on the finalists‘ essays.
After short greetings by the organizers from the Bildungswerk Sachsen (Germany), the Krzyżowa-Foundation (Poland) and Antikomplex (Czech Republic) a panel discussion took place. Iris Bauer (University of Leipzig), Layla Kiefel (University of Bordeaux), Nane Pleger (Louise-Otto-Peters-Gesellschaft, Leipzig) and Michal Schuster (Antikomplex) discussed about „European Remembrance of Women in Resistance“ and why it is important for our societies and democracies to rember theses women resisting against National Socialism and to talk about them.
Afterwards the members of the Jury – Joanna Hytrek-Hryciuk (Poland), Kateřina Králová (Czech Republic, in absence represented by Sarah Meyer-Muth) and Nane Pleger (Germany) – announced and eulogized the winners of the contest.
The evening was closed by a small buffet for all attendants.
Winners
1. Place: Shania Timpe (Germany): Invisible Resistance: Batsheva’s Story.
2. Place: Amelia Maj (Poland): Dolly. Buried in time.
3. Place: Weronika Dobrucka (Poland): I am a woman – I know. A lesson on femininity.
Finalists
Yasmin Altmann (Germany): A Tribute to Women!
Charlotte Boreham (Czech republic): Reclaiming the Memory of Milena Jesenká.
Natalia Cubała (Poland): Courage and Capital: Dual FOrces Behind Women’s Resistance.
Hannah Lindner (Germany): For those we have forgotten.
Lea-Sophie Marcus (Germany): reSIEstance.
Mila Rick (Germany): In solidarity with all those in political imprisonment and in pursuit of a fairer world.
Leonie Weber (Germany): Women in Resistance – Condemmed to remain unheard?
Publication of the winning essays
We are pleased to present the three winners of our essay competition as well as the seven finalists in the following publication.
Here you can download the publication.
If wished, we also will send you the publication in printed version via mail (free shipping).
Impressions from the Prize Ceremony
Public readings and discussions in Poland and in the Czech republic
On 4 December 2024, the Krzyżowa-Foundation organized a public reading followed by a discussion in Góra (Poland). Around 80 people attended, most of whom were schoolchildren, who, following the presentation of the project’s findings, discussed the conclusions that can be drawn for the present from the lives and actions of women during the Nazi era.
Antikomplex hosted a reading of the essay contributors at the Hall of Municipal Library in Prague on January 28, 2025, in conjunction with Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27. Finalist Charlotte Boreham read her essay „Reclaiming the Memory of Milena Jesenká“ and gave insights into her motivation and experiences during the project. The event brought together more than 50 participants, who had engaged with the culture of remembrance of the Holocaust in various projects and discussed them.
