Literary Award - Instytut Pileckiego
The Witold Pilecki International Book Award
THE IDEA
As a soldier, resistance fighter, true hero and a man of action, Witold Pilecki may not seem like an obvious choice for a patron of a literary prize. His famous reports, however, are more than a source of invaluable information on the functioning of Auschwitz-Birkenau: through his expressive style, Pilecki also offers an in-depth analysis of the situation in the camp and a broader humanist perspective. While providing information about specific events – the atrocities committed by the Germans in occupied Poland during the Second World War – the reports also serve as a testimony to the whole era.
By awarding the Witold Pilecki International Book Award we aim to recognize the significance of the universal message stemming from the experience of the 20th-century totalitarianisms. We wish to acknowledge texts which promote the fundamental values of human dignity, striving for the truth, willingness to sacrifice, and solidarity with the persecuted. We honor original academic works and excellent reportages. We wish to celebrate books which explore the subject extensively, bringing it to wide audiences.
In previous years, eligible for nomination in each category were books written in Polish or English. This year, we once again encourage you to submit publications published in other languages: German or French – this is an absolute novelty and a unique feature of the Pilecki Award!
PARTNER
The partner of the award is the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum in Oświęcim.
SIXTH EDITION OF THE PILECKI AWARD (2026)
Categories
a) Academic history book – the best monograph or synthesis on the experience of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe of confronting totalitarianism in the 20th century, with a particular emphasis on Poland. When evaluating books submitted in this category, good documentation, original interpretations and attractive messaging are particularly appreciated. Items submitted in this category should be published in Polish, English, German or French in the year preceding a given edition of the Competition, and be provided with a scholarly apparatus. Books may be entered whose translations into Polish, English, German or French were published in the two calendar years preceding an edition of the Competition, as long as their first edition in the original language was published no earlier than in 2018. Submissions of collective publications that have appeared as edited volumes will not be considered. As regards other multi-author books, it is permissible to submit a title having a maximum of two co-authors.
b) Historical reportage – a book that offers the reader an engaging story about the experience of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe of confronting totalitarianism in the 20th century, with a particular emphasis on Poland. In addition to classic historical reportages, biographies, memoirs and accounts of witnesses to history may also be submitted in this category. When evaluating books in this category, a respect for sources, good composition and narrative credibility are especially appreciated. As regards multi-author books, it is permissible to submit a title having a maximum of two co-authors. Works submitted in this category should have been published in Polish, English, German or French in the year preceding a given edition of the Competition. Books may be entered whose translations into Polish, English, German or French were published in the two calendar years preceding an edition of the Competition, as long as their first edition in the original language was published no earlier than in 2018.
c) Award for documenting manifestations and relics of 20th century totalitarian systems in the contemporary world – a publication that bears witness to the criminal actions of totalitarian, post-totalitarian, and authoritarian systems with 20th-century roots in today’s world. Formally, the 20th century ended more than two decades ago; however, in certain areas, the contemporary world remains deeply anchored in the previous century, and many of the criminal acts observed today stem directly from the functioning of totalitarian systems before 1989. The awarded book may therefore be a narrative about the dramatic fate of populations affected by wars and armed conflicts; it may also denounce cases of intentional and persistent violations of human rights by totalitarian systems originating in the previous century, or portray life in the shadow of still-existing totalitarian regimes. The events of recent years, especially among our eastern neighbors in Ukraine, make us aware that violations of international criminal law and the customs of war, as well as crimes against civilian populations, are not a thing of the past. Despite the efforts of many individuals and organizations after the Second World War to shape civic awareness and international law, these acts, which continue the legacy of 20th-century totalitarianisms, continue to occur. The Russian aggression in 2014 and the launch of a full-scale invasion in 2022 demonstrate that the mission of Witold Pilecki, centered on documenting totalitarian evil, remains relevant, and that writing about it and condemning the perpetrators in the public sphere is essential. In evaluating books in this category, particular recognition will be given to authors who demonstrate sensitivity to human suffering and the courage to write about it. They should also be reliable and credible, and strive to give a voice to victims. At the same time, they are expected to possess the insight to recognize the enduring presence of the darkest political systems of the 20th century in the present day. They should also be able to describe the transformation of regimes known from the previous era into their new, sometimes more modern and technocratic forms. In the case of multi-author works, submissions of titles with a maximum of two co-authors are permitted. Works submitted in this category should have been published in the year preceding the edition of the Competition in Polish, English, German, or French. Submissions of books whose translations into Polish, English, German, or French were published within the two calendar years preceding the edition are also permitted, provided that the first edition in the original language was published no earlier than 2018.
ENTRIES
Submissions can be made by authors, publishers or private/natural persons, legal persons or organizational entities devoid of legal personality by sending an electronic version of the book (in PDF format; if the book was published in e-book form, please send the files in EPUB and MOBI formats) to the following e-mail address: nagroda@instytutpileckiego.pl
The deadline for submitting applications is the end of June 2026.
Download the detailed regulations of the competition and information clause on personal data processing (attachments below).
AWARD COMMITTEE 2026
Permanent members
- Dr. hab. Patrycja Grzebyk, Professor at the University of Warsaw – on behalf of the Director of the Pilecki Institute, representative of the Competition Organizer;
- Dr. Piotr Cywiński – Director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, representative of the Competition Partner;
- Krzysztof Kosior – Witold Pilecki’s great-grandson, representative of the family of the Captain, patron of the Competition.
Members appointed by the Director of the Pilecki Institute
- Prof. Agnieszka Bieńczyk-Missala
- Andrzej Brzeziecki
- Prof. Padraic Kenney
- Prof. Anna Mazurkiewicz
- Prof. Claudia Weber
- Iwona Jabłońska of the Pilecki Institute was appointed Secretary of the Awards Committee.
THE WINNERS
The authors of the winning books in the first two categories will receive a prize of PLN 50,000 gross, and in the third category, PLN 25,000 gross, as well as a commemorative statuette. In each of the three categories, authors can receive an honorary mention and a prize of PLN 5,000 gross. The awards will be presented during a gala at the end of 2026.
In the previous editions, the Pilecki Award went to Michał Bilewicz, Emil Marat and Maksym Eristavi.
Gala ceremony in 2025
Gala ceremony in 2024.
Gala ceremony in 2023.
Gala ceremony in 2022.
Gala ceremony in 2021.