Central eliminations of 14th Declamation Contest of Adam Mickiewicz 'Kresy 2015' took place on 6th November in the House of Polish Culture in Vilnius. This year the contest was quite special as it fell on the day of 160th anniversary of the death of Adam Mickiewicz.

'Instill a love of native words'
The contest was opened by the Chairman of the Association of Polish Schools Teachers in Lithuania 'Macierz Szkolna', Member of the Seimas Juzef Kvetkovskij. 'Poetry is like food for your souls. You are already the winners because you read the great works that enrich human souls, make the world a better place. I am very happy that teachers at schools work hard to instill a love of native words, of poetry in our children,' said Kvetkovskij. He thanked teachers for their efforts and said that it depends on them whether polishness is inhabiting our schools.

'I feel like a Pole even more'
President of the jury Magdalena Kruszyńska welcomed all the lovers of poetry and beautiful Polish words. She was very glad to come to Lithuania and be present during the event. 'There is a moment when I feel like a Pole even more. Please, say what is playing in your souls,' said Kruszyńska at the beginning of the contest.

835 participants
60 students from Polish schools of Lithuania fought for the title of the best Polish reciter. They were selected during district and municipal contests. The students represented Vilnius district, Šalčininkai district, Švenčionys district, Širvintos district and Vilnius city. In general, there were 835 participants taking part in all the stages of the contest. There were 3 age categories: I - children up to 12 years old, II - 12-16 years old children, and III - youth of 16 years old and older. Each of them presented 2 works in prose or verse. The jury consisted of Magda Kruszyńska (president of the jury) - theater instructor and animator of culture in Białystok, Magda Kiszko-Dojlidko - actress and lecturer in the Theatre Academy in Białystok, Lilija Kieizik - stage manager of the Polish Theatre Studio in Vilnius, and Irena Litvinovič - stage manager of the Polish Theatre in Vilnius.

The jury evaluated not only the interpretation of works, but also the choice of repertoire, technique and clarity of speech and general artistic expression.

The youngest group most often chose the poems of Jan Brzechwa and Julian Tuwim, but there were also the works of such poets as Dorota Gellner, Danuta Vavilov and Hanna Niewiadomska. The second age group chose the works of Wisława Szymborska and, of course, Adam Mickiewicz.

Each participant of the contest received diplomas for participation in the contest and small gifts.

Monika Zuchniak-Pazdan, advisor of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Vilnius, who was present at the contest, said after the performance of the youngest group, that their level was so high, that she became very curious about the older participants. She added that she envies the participants their freedom, because not everyone can boast of such a talent. The advisor also thanked the teachers for their efforts to prepare such young artists.

After listening to all the participants, the jury went to have their final discussion. And then viewers had an opportunity to see the moving play 'Oscar and the Lady in Pink' by E.-E. Schmitt performed by the theatre 'Wędrówka' ('Hike') of the Nemėžis St. Rapolo Kalinausko Gymnasium. The play was directed by Božena Bieleninik.

It was quite difficult for the jury to make the decision because of the number of all the participants and high level of their performances.

Experience the beauty of the Polish language
Before announcing the results, the President of the jury thanked all the young art adepts for their presence. She underlined, that 'Kresy' contest is developing all the time. She also thanked the teachers and parents, because they help children to find their way, to experience the beauty of the Polish language. The Polish language continues to thrive in the Borderlands thanks to Polish schools, houses of culture, etc.

The jury gave some good advice for the participants of the contest. Magdalena Kruszyńska stressed, that the good choice of work is the most important thing. Only then one can work on techniques and emotions. She also noticed, that this was not an acting competition, but a declamation one. Actress Magdalena Kiszko-Dojlidko talked about pronunciation techniques. According to her, students should be careful not to kill the interpretation of the work with diction, not to put accent on each word. She also advised against too many pauses, as then the sense of expression escapes and the competition itself lengthens unnecessarily. Moreover, the actress said that is not always good to choose long texts, as then inexperienced reciters find it difficult to keep the level of emotions.

Laureates
The laureates of 'Kresy 2015' were: group I - Evelina Romeiko, group II - Gabriela Mazur, group III - Edgar Krivelis. Winners of the I and II place in the group III are going to represent Lithuania on declamation contest 'Kresy 2015' in Białystok this December.

Winner: 'I grew up'
Laureate Edgar Krivelis told us that his teacher Aldona Sudenis help him to choose the repertoire. Edgar experienced stage fright just before his performance and, to add, got ill the day before. Nevertheless, he was able to impress the judges with his performance. He chose part of the 9th book of 'Sir Thaddeus' and a poem of Tadeusz Różewicz 'Politeness is not an easy science'. Edgar was performing in 'Kresy' contest already for the second time. One year ago he was distinguished, and this year managed to win. 'I grew up since then,' said Edgar with a smile on his face.

Lilija Kiejzik: 'Our youth is fantastic'
Member of the jury Lilija Kiejzik said that she was most cheered by the group II. 'I was surprised that they chose really serious works. Sometimes it was their own decision. People talk a lot that the youth is not good today, but I have noticed that in fact it is fantastic! They love their homeland and speak from their souls,' said L. Kiejzik. She also stated, that it is wonderful, that youth feels the poetry and passes their emotions to other people. 'Sometimes our life is grey and shabby, but young people can speak from their hearts about beauty. And it is the most important thing,' underlines the stage manager.

The contest was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Consular Section of the Embassy of Poland in Vilnius, Foundation 'Aid to Poles in the East', Prezident of the Białystok town, Podlaski Branch of the Association 'Polish Community' in Białystok, House of Polish Culture in Vilnius, and 'Macierz Szkolna'.

Traditionally the Consular Section of the Embassy of Poland in Vilnius funded the prizes for the teachers whose students took I-III places in the contest. This year the following teachers were awarded: Beata Bolondz, Olga Volkovicka, Alina Černiavska, Jolanta Pacyno, Vaclava Ivanovska, Inesa Mozyro, Aldona Sudenis, Ana Jasinska, Alina Maštaler and Česlava Osipovič.
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After the end of the contest we had the possibility to talk to the director of the jury Magdalena Kruszyńska.

L24: What is the idea of the declamation contest 'Kresy'?
Magdalena Kruszyńska: The contest was invented by the Białystok actors, by the 'Polish Community' as an event to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the birth of Adam Mickiewicz. Nobody even thought that it will be such an enormous event. The aim of the contest is to bring Polish poetry closer to the Poles outside Polish borders, so that they could present it not only in their countries. Just to show that we are present, where we are present and how many of us are there, how beautiful our language is. At first we started only with the poems of Adam Mickiewicz so that we could commemorate the anniversary of the poet's birth. But it was too little for people, they got used and wanted more. To add, there were more and more countries taking part in the contest. And so it lasts for already 24 years and there are 12-14 countries taking part in the contest.

L24: Are such competitions important for preserving Polish culture in the countries where they take place?

Magdalena Kruszyńska: Absolutely yes. Such contests are necessary for Poles outside Polish borders and also for Poles in Poland, as Poland is not only a territory. Borderlands is a moral category, even a philosophical one, not to mention the history or mentality. I think it is needed so that the Polish language survives here and Poles start believing that they have a wonderful literature, poetry, and songs. We had to start with something, and Mickiewicz was a perfect model. Nowadays absolutely contemporary poetry is being presented. There are poets who are not yet issued in books. There are internet poets too. Poets who are forgotten; regional poets also. But this is the Polish language which is beautiful and in my opinion this contest helps a lot for the language.

L24: How do you evaluate the level of this year's participants?
Magdalena Kruszyńska: This is always the most difficult question. It is a question of where children are from, what is their experience. There is a growing awareness of where to look, how to look. They can choose not only classics and well known works. You do not have problems with literature here in Lithuania, therefore the repertoire is indeed diversified. Sincere voice of thanks for teachers, instructors, House of Polish Culture for the fact that there are more and more interesting modern texts, however I really appreciate it when Poles from Lithuania recite Mickiewicz, as this poet is in their nature, in their language and melodiousness. I love 'Sir Thaddeus' performed by Poles from Lithuania.

Idea of 'Kresy'
Podlaski Branch of the Association 'Polish Community' in Białystok is the organizer of 'Kresy' - the contest directed towards all the Poles residing outside Polish borders. The contest is organized with the participation of Polish organizations and Polish diaspora. In Lithuania it is the Association of Polish Schools Teachers in Lithuania 'Macierz Szkolna'
The aim of 'Kresy' contest is to maintain ties of Poles residing outside Polish borders with the Motherland, popularization of Polish language and Polish literature, promoting the beautiful art of speaking and strengthening national consciousness. This is the only declamation contest organized for Polish communities outside the borders of the Republic of Poland. It is a very popular and prestigious event among Polish communities.

There are well know actors among the winners of the contest - Joanna Moro ('Anna German. Mystery Of The White Angel', 'Blondynka', 'Talyanka'), Agata Meilutė (' Popiełuszko. Wolność jest w nas', ' Mała Moskwa', ' Samotność w sieci'), and Jan Drawnel ('Miasto 44', 'Boża podszewka', 'Ratownicy', 'Oda do radości').

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Laureates of the central eliminations of Declamation Contest of Adam Mickiewicz 'Kresy 2015':
There were 3 age categories: I - children up to 12 years old, II - 12-16 years old children, and III - youth of 16 years old and older.
I category:

I place: Evelina Romeiko (Vilnius Vladislovo Sirokomlės Secondary School, teacher Beata Bolondz)
II place: Diana Savanevičiūtė (Vilnius district Pakena Č. Milošo Basic School, teacher Olga Volkovicka)
III place: Bartoš Urbanovič (Vilnius kindergarten-school 'Vilija', teacher Alina Černiavska)
Distinctions:

Aleksandra Šot (Vilnius Vladislovo Sirokomlės Secondary School, teacher Beata Bolondz)
Daniel Marcinkevič (Vilnius Vladislovo Sirokomlės Secondary School teacher Veslava Gaverska-Žvirblis)
Anastasija Uzelaitė (Pabradė Žeimena Gymnasium, teacher Irena Urbanavičienė)
Kinga Levko (Mostiškės Basic School, teacher Danuta Černiavska)
Adriana Malinovska (Eišiškės Gymnasium, teacher Alicija Turovska)

II category
I place Gabriela Mazur (Vilnius Simono Konarskio Secondary School, teacher Jolanta Pacyno)
II place Laura Kulpovič (Eišiškės Gymnasium, teacher Vaclava Ivanovska)
III place Dorota Beliavska (Vilnius district Egliškės šv. J. Bosko Gymnasium, teacher Inesa Mozyro)

Distinctions:

Sandra Kalinovska (Vilnius Vladislovo Sirokomlės Secondary School, teacher Danuta Korkus)
Tomaš Maksimovič (Vilnius Šv. Jono Pauliaus II Gymnasium, teacher Danuta Szejnicka)

III category

I place Edgar Krivelis (Vilnius district Nemenčinė K. Parčevskio Gymnasium, teacher Aldona Sudenis)
II place Julija Gunevič (Vilnius Šv. Jono Pauliaus II Gymnasium, teacher Ana Jasinska)
III place Jaroslav Macutkevič (Vilnius Šv. Jono Pauliaus II Gymnasium, teacher Česlava Osipovič)

Distinctions:

Juzef Kučinski (Vilnius Adomo Mickevičiaus Gymnasium, teacher Evelina Beliavska)
Greta Koženevska (Vilnius Joachimo Lelevelio Secondary School, teacher Osvald Kuzmicki)
Artur Markevič (Nemėžis St. Rapolo Kalinausko Gymnasium, teacher Božena Bieleninik).

Katarzyna Šot

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"This project is co-financed from the funds granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland."