Poland

Activities and Highlights

In 2026, as many as 19 Polish schools submitted reports on their participation in the Gift a Poem campaign. One of them, Mieszko I Primary School No. 19 in Białystok (SP19 School Library), is not a member of the ASPnet network, yet it highly values the initiative and enthusiastically joined our activities. The reports submitted by our participating institutions—from all levels of education—are rich, diverse and inspiring. For this reason, we are presenting them this year in a slightly abridged form. We would like to thank all participants for their involvement in this exceptional initiative and hope that it will become a cherished tradition in their relationships with others, and that poems—words filled with meaning—will become not only a valued but also an everyday gift.

Schools involved

• L. Braille Special School and Educational Centre No. 1 in Bydgoszcz
• Adam Mickiewicz High School No. 2 in Ciechanów
• The Education and Upbringing Centre in Dziemiany
• American Elementary School in Gdynia
• C. K. Norwid High School No. 2 in Jelenia Góra
• 8th Private Academic High School in Kraków
• Maria Skłodowska-Curie High School in Lublin No.5
• Maria Piotrowiczowa High School No. 13 in Łódź
• United Nations School Complex in Polkowice
• Hipolit Cegielski Transport School Complex in Poznań
• Cavaliers of the Order of the Smile Special School and Educational Centre in Prudnik
• The Agricultural College in Sochaczew
• Kindergarten No. 327 „Colourful Land” in Warsaw
• Kindergarten No. 422 „The Colourful Owl” in Warsaw
• King Bolesław Krzywousty High School No. 5 in Wrocław
• Piastów Śląskich Primary School No. 26, part of Comprehensive School Complex No. 12 in Wrocław
• Wojciech Kilar Secondary School No. 2 in Zabrze
• Prof. Stefan Banach High School No. 21 in Żagań
• Mieszko I Primary School No. 19 in Białystok (SP19 School Library)
• J. Kasprowicz High School No. 1 in Inowrocław

L. Braille Special School and Educational Centre No. 1 in Bydgoszcz

Pupils at a school for blind and visually impaired people decided to strengthen intergenerational ties by organising the ‘Gift a Poem’ campaign to celebrate World Poetry Day. They presented elderly people with one of Zbigniew Herbert’s poems, entitled ‘To the River’, which the pupils had transcribed by hand into Braille and standard print.
The idea came about whilst analysing various poems, and we wanted to choose one that reflected the motto of this year’s campaign by UNESCO’s ASPnet and the Zbigniew Herbert Foundation – ‘What goes on in people’s minds?’. We felt that a river could be compared to human activity, motor skills and the expression of emotions. We believe that the gesture of offering the words of poetry can provide spiritual support, bring comfort, and sustain hope and the strength to overcome difficulties.

Photos

Adam Mickiewicz High School No. 2 in Ciechanów

As in previous years, Adam Mickiewicz High School No. 2 in Ciechanów actively participated in the Gift a Poem campaign. This year’s edition took place on 27 March 2026 and brought students together around the idea of sharing poetry by renowned Polish and international authors, as well as their own creative work. As part of the school’s activities and in keeping with the spirit of the Gift a Poem initiative, students hand-copied selected poems, carefully decorated them, and presented them to one another as well as to their teachers. Among the works chosen were poems by Zbigniew Herbert and Polish Nobel Prize laureates Wisława Szymborska and Czesław Miłosz.

Students also copied English translations of poems by these authors. Sharing poetry in a foreign language proved especially popular among students in the language-focused class. A new element of this year’s edition was the recording of short student reflections in which participants answered the question: What does poetry mean to you? Students also had the opportunity to present their own creative work, sharing original poems on camera. This initiative generated considerable interest and engagement among participants. The videos were published on the school’s Facebook page. The hand-copied and decorated poems were also delivered to institutions cooperating with the school. Students presented them to seniors attending the “Senior+” Day Care Centre in Ciechanów, as well as to partner schools and kindergartens in the city. Once again, the initiative became an opportunity to strengthen intergenerational relationships and promote reading as well as appreciation for poetic language.

This year’s edition of Gift a Poem confirmed that the initiative continues to enjoy great popularity and has become a permanent fixture in the school’s annual calendar of events.

The Education and Upbringing Centre in Dziemiany

As a member of the UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet), the Education and Upbringing Centre in Dziemiany is eager to participate in initiatives that promote culture, empathy and dialogue. For this reason, its students took part in the Gift a Poem campaign. On the occasion of World Poetry Day, they decided to take poetry beyond the walls of the school and share it with their local community. Presenting someone with a hand-copied poem is a small yet deeply personal gesture—an invitation to pause amidst the rush of everyday life, reflect, and experience a moment of joy. Armed with 25 carefully prepared poems, the students visited a number of special recipients. Poetic gifts from the young participants were presented to, among others, the school management, representatives of the Dziemiany Municipal Office, the local parish priest, owners and employees of local shops and public institutions, as well as passers-by encountered on the streets. The initiative was met with an exceptionally warm and often deeply moving response from the recipients. It brought many smiles and provided students with a valuable lesson in openness and building human connections. We are immensely proud of our students’ commitment and engagement, through which they have become outstanding ambassadors of UNESCO values within our local community.

American Elementary School in Gdynia

In the 2025/2026 school year, students from Grades 4–7 at American Elementary School in Poland participated in an interdisciplinary educational project organised as part of the Gift a Poem campaign, promoted by UNESCO and the Zbigniew Herbert Foundation in celebration of World Poetry Day. The project was designed as an interdisciplinary experience combining English language education, literature, creative writing and visual arts. The activities aimed to develop students’ language skills, creativity, artistic expression and ability to communicate emotions through both words and images. During the first stage of the project, students participated in workshops focused on different poetic forms and artistic expression in the English language. They explored examples of poetry, discussed literary techniques, and reflected on how poetry can communicate emotions, experiences and human relationships. Following the workshops, every student from Grades 4–7 wrote an original poem in English. Students created poems inspired by emotions, nature, friendship, dreams and personal experiences. Each student then designed an original illustration for their poem, creating a visual interpretation of their literary work. The artworks were produced during art classes using a variety of artistic techniques and media. Students carefully handwrote their poems on decorative poetry cards, combining literary and visual expression into final artistic pieces. The completed works were presented during a school exhibition and a special presentation celebrating World Poetry Day. The exhibition became a space for showcasing student creativity, artistic voice and reflection through literature and art.

As the final stage of the project, students gifted their poetry cards to parents, grandparents, teachers and school staff members. This transformed poetry into a meaningful gesture of kindness, gratitude and connection with others, fully reflecting the spirit of the Gift a Poem campaign. Additionally, each participating class created its own poetry collection featuring all student works. These class poetry books were later presented during the school’s World Book Day celebrations, highlighting the importance of literature, reading culture, creativity and student authorship within the school community. The project successfully developed students’ English language competencies, creative writing skills, literary interpretation and visual communication abilities. At the same time, it strengthened empathy, self-expression, confidence and interdisciplinary thinking. The initiative strongly reflected the values promoted by UNESCO and the ASPnet school network, including creativity, intercultural dialogue, humanistic education, and building relationships through literature, culture and the arts.

C. K. Norwid High School No. 2 in Jelenia Góra

C. K. Norwid High School No. 2 in Jelenia Góra participates in the Gift a Poem campaign every year. Students enthusiastically embraced the opportunity to write and share poetry. As part of the celebrations of World Poetry Day, language groups spent the preceding week composing poems in English, which were then sent to a partner school in Kent, United Kingdom. As part of this exchange, students also received beautifully handwritten poems by British authors from their peers in Kent. Students were additionally encouraged to write and share poems in Polish. These poems were gifted to fellow students, family members and members of the teaching staff. The Gift a Poem campaign provides a unique opportunity to promote the beauty of poetry and strengthen human connections through simple yet meaningful gestures.

8th Private Academic High School in Kraków

For another year, the 8th Private Academic High School in Kraków joined the celebrations of World Poetry Day and participated in the Gift a Poem campaign. In March, students of Class 2A, under the guidance of their Polish language teacher, Dorota Konior, explored the work of Adam Zagajewski, one of the most distinguished contemporary Polish poets and recipient of numerous international awards, including the Princess of Asturias Award. The project began with an engaging presentation prepared by one of the students, introducing the life and work of this remarkable poet and thinker. Students learned how his poetry was shaped by experiences connected with different cities and continents, the impact of history, and his complex relationship with the world. During subsequent lessons, students listened to recordings of the poet reading his own works. Inspired by the theme accompanying this year’s celebrations, students then undertook an interpretation of one of the most internationally recognised Polish poems, Adam Zagajewski’s Try to Praise the Mutilated World. This profoundly moving and strikingly relevant poem evoked strong emotions among the students. Hand-copying the text gradually evolved into an intersemiotic artistic project, resulting in beautiful original graphic works inspired by Zagajewski’s poetry. To conclude the project, students visited the nearby Wisława Szymborska Park, where they distributed handwritten poems to passers-by and tourists. The unique atmosphere of a park dedicated to the memory of the renowned Polish Nobel Prize laureate lent special significance to this simple gesture of sharing poetry.

Maria Skłodowska-Curie High School in Lublin No. 5

Once again, students of Maria Skłodowska-Curie High School No. 5 in Lublin participated in the Gift a Poem initiative organised in connection with the celebration of World Poetry Day. On 23 March 2026, first-year students were introduced to the idea of poetry as a gift of words that can hold special meaning for another person and bring joy, kindness and peace. Students from Class 1e independently selected poems by well-known authors such as Zbigniew Herbert and Wisława Szymborska, as well as works by lesser-known poets. Among the chosen texts was a poem by Józef Czechowicz, a poet particularly associated with the city of Lublin. The carefully handwritten poems were often decorated with illustrations and artistic elements before being presented to friends, classmates and family members—people who hold a special place in the students’ lives.

Maria Piotrowiczowa High School No. 13 in Łódź

This year, Maria Piotrowiczowa High School No. 13 in Łódź once again celebrated World Poetry Day through a special event featuring poetry recitations and the presentation of poems by Zbigniew Herbert hand-copied by students from two humanities classes as part of the Gift a Poem initiative.

United Nations School Complex in Polkowice

On 26–27 March 2026, students from classes 1b, 2at, 4c and 4at took part in the international Gift a Poem campaign. The project was organised by teachers Anna Walas, Anna Bajas-Kostka and Przemysław Szulc, who supported students throughout every stage of the activity. Held under the auspices of UNESCO, the initiative was organised at the school for the second consecutive year as part of the celebrations of World Poetry Day. Once again, the Polish National Commission for UNESCO invited schools to join the celebration, drawing inspiration from Zbigniew Herbert, who was known for hand-copying poems and giving them to people important to him. The initiative aimed to foster appreciation for poetry and strengthen connections among students through the sharing of words. Each participant hand-copied a selected poem—in either Polish or English—and then gifted it to a student from another class. This simple gesture became an opportunity not only to engage with literature but also to show kindness and attention to another person. This year’s edition was inspired by Adam Zagajewski’s poem Try to Praise the Mutilated World. The event concluded with a shared listening session of a powerful recitation of the poem, encouraging participants to reflect on the beauty and strength of poetry.

Hipolit Cegielski Transport School Complex in Poznań

This year, the community of Hipolit Cegielski Transport School Complex in Poznań joined the international Gift a Poem campaign for the first time. Organised on the occasion of World Poetry Day, the event transformed the school into a vibrant space dedicated to encounters with literature. On 20 March—the first day of astronomical spring—students distributed poems written on specially designed stationery featuring the initiative’s logo. Some poems were given directly to students and teachers, while others were displayed in a showcase on the second floor, inviting members of the school community to pause for a moment of poetic reflection. Poetry was present throughout the school that day—in corridors, in conversations between classes, and in communal spaces. One particularly popular activity allowed participants to “exchange” poems for soap bubbles, bringing joy and a festive spring atmosphere to the school. The culmination of the celebrations was a one-poem tournament (poetry slam) held in the Artistic Cellar. Participants presented their own original works, while the audience selected and rewarded the best performances. Gift vouchers were awarded as prizes, and the event attracted many enthusiasts of poetry and creative expression.

Cavaliers of the Order of the Smile Special School and Educational Centre in Prudnik

With the arrival of spring, students of the Cavaliers of the Order of the Smile Special School and Educational Centre in Prudnik began preparing for the Gift a Poem campaign by exploring the poetry of Zbigniew Herbert, Adam Zagajewski and local poet Janusz Gąsior. A children’s poet from nearby Konradowo, Janusz Gąsior frequently meets with young audiences, encouraging them to play with language and discover the joy of poetry. The preparation process was creative and engaging. Students selected poems, read and interpreted them, and then carefully hand-copied them onto decorative stationery. For some participants, this was their first experience with calligraphy, providing an opportunity to practise patience, concentration and aesthetic handwriting. Special literary and musical workshops were organised for students of different age groups, allowing them to experience poetry in a creative, emotional and multisensory way. The special guest of the event was Janusz Gąsior himself, who introduced participants to a world of words, rhythm and imagination. His presence gave the event a unique character and inspired students’ own artistic activities. The workshops were divided into three groups according to age and ability. The youngest participants (kindergarten and Grades 1–3) took part in theatre and animation activities. They enthusiastically watched a puppet performance prepared by Janusz Gąsior, assisted by two dragons named Kamil and Emil. Poems from the collection Beloved Animals were met with great enthusiasm, and children actively engaged in the activities and word games. The second group (Grades 4–5 and ZET IV–VIII) participated in a collective recitation of selected poems from Beloved Animals. Students also presented their own literary and artistic works. A particularly meaningful moment was the exchange of handwritten poems as part of the Gift a Poem campaign, giving the event a personal and reflective dimension. The third group (Grades 6–8, vocational school students and SSPdP students) took part in activities devoted to the poetry of Zbigniew Herbert. Musical interpretations of the poems created a unique atmosphere conducive to reflection and concentration. Students willingly shared their own texts, which—following the spirit of the initiative—could become gifts for others. The workshops took place in an atmosphere of openness, creative freedom and mutual respect. Participants had the opportunity not only to engage with poetry but also to express themselves through words, sound and visual art. The event was warmly received by both students and teachers. The Gift a Poem campaign demonstrated that poetry can be vibrant, accessible and meaningful for everyone, regardless of age or ability.

The Agricultural College in Sochaczew

On 21 March 2026, students of The Agricultural College in Sochaczew took part in celebrations marking World Poetry Day. Lessons organised in selected classes provided students with an opportunity to browse poetry collections and discuss poems that particularly interested them. They also shared their own poetic discoveries made as part of previously assigned independent work. The next stage involved discussions about the importance of words addressed to another person and their power to either build or destroy relationships. Students then participated in the hand-copying of selected poems, which they subsequently presented as gifts to chosen recipients. The initiative was met with a positive response from both participants and recipients.

Kindergarten No. 327 “Colourful Land” in Warsaw

Kindergarten No. 327 “Colourful Land” once again participated in the Gift a Poem campaign and actively celebrated World Poetry Day in a creative and engaging manner. Children in individual groups had the opportunity to “gift a poem” to their peers. The poems were prepared at home, enabling parents to become involved in the initiative as well. This provided an excellent opportunity to introduce the broader community to the idea behind Gift a Poem. The poems were handwritten by parents and illustrated by the children. Some were even copied independently by the children themselves. The gifted poems were then enthusiastically read aloud or recited in front of the entire group. In addition, older kindergarten groups received baskets of poems prepared by the UNESCO team for sharing with neighbours and passers-by encountered during walks. The collection included poems inspired by the theme of peace in its broadest sense. The poems were also displayed at the kindergarten’s main entrance as a gift for parents and caregivers.

King Bolesław Krzywousty High School No. 5 in Wrocław

On 21 March 2026, students of King Bolesław Krzywousty High School No. 5 in Wrocław took part in the Gift a Poem campaign. On the same day, the school also celebrated the first day of spring and Foreign Languages Day. The organisers therefore decided to combine both events. During language classes, students enthusiastically hand-copied selected poems and then presented them to others as symbolic gestures of kindness and support for the ideals of peace. Poems were created in many languages, including Polish, English, Spanish, Ukrainian and German, as well as other languages spoken by members of the school community. As a result, the initiative acquired a unique multicultural character and became a beautiful expression of openness, diversity and mutual respect.

Piastów Śląskich Primary School No. 26, part of Comprehensive School Complex No. 12 in Wrocław

A large number of students from School and Nursery Complex No. 12 in Wrocław participated in this year’s Gift a Poem campaign. The initiative became a wonderful opportunity to bring together the entire school community, with both younger and older students actively involved in preparing and sharing poems. Students carefully hand-copied selected poems onto specially prepared stationery, giving each piece a personal and unique character. Younger students most often chose poems inspired by spring, bringing joy and hope to their recipients. Their class teachers supported them in selecting appropriate works. The younger participants also visited kindergarten children, reading selected poems aloud before presenting them with beautifully hand-copied versions on decorative paper. Some of the prepared poems were also delivered to residents of a local care home, bringing a touch of springtime joy and kind words into their daily lives. Older students carried out most of their activities in the school library. With the support of the school librarian, they were able to browse poetry collections and independently select works to copy. Poems by Zbigniew Herbert were among the most frequently chosen. The completed poems were presented to classmates and other students, while some participants took them home to share with family members. The initiative provided not only an opportunity to engage with poetry but also a valuable experience of cooperation and integration among students from different age groups. Their collective efforts demonstrated that poetry has the power to bring people together, foster kindness, and introduce greater sensitivity, reflection and goodwill into everyday life.

Wojciech Kilar Secondary School No. 2 in Zabrze

Once again this year, students of Wojciech Kilar Secondary School No. 2 in Zabrze joined the UNESCO Associated Schools Network initiative Gift a Poem. At the heart of the project lies the idea of “creating and deepening human relationships—including intergenerational ones—centred around words that carry meaning, provide support and help shape our understanding of the world.” Inspired by this idea, students decided to share several verses with peers they had come to know through their participation in the Erasmus+ programme. The hand-copied poems, decorated with drawings, were sent from Zabrze to secondary schools in Kouvola and Arconate—to the students’ new Finnish and Italian friends participating in the A Home Away From Home project. Messages received from the international coordinators confirmed that the poems brought great joy to their recipients.

Prof. Stefan Banach High School No. 21 in Żagań

On 20 March 2026, celebrations of World Poetry Day were organised in the form of a School Poetry Day combined with the Gift a Poem campaign. Following the example of the Polish poet Zbigniew Herbert, who often sent poems in the form of letters to people he valued and respected, students hand-copied poems of their own choosing and presented them to people close to them. This meaningful gesture was complemented by poetry recitations and readings of classical works performed by students. As in previous years, the initiative aimed to strengthen human relationships by drawing attention to the importance of meaningful words, which play a vital role in shaping our attitudes, values and understanding of the world. Through this activity, students developed a greater sensitivity to language and a deeper awareness of the responsibility that comes with the meanings words convey.

Mieszko I Primary School No. 19 in Białystok (SP19 School Library) – Non-ASPnet School

The SP19 School Library joined the international Gift a Poem initiative organised by the Zbigniew Herbert Foundation in cooperation with UNESCO to mark World Poetry Day. Twenty volunteers selected a total of 48 poems and hand-copied them, drawing inspiration from the poetic letters that Zbigniew Herbert wrote to people close to him and to fellow artists. Members of the school volunteer club Iskra (“Spark”) then presented the collected poems to seniors from the Closer to Each Other Senior Club in Białystok during an intergenerational meeting that brought together young people and older members of the local community.

J. Kasprowicz High School No. 1 in Inowrocław

On 21 March, pupils are in the mood to live a more poetic life – not only because it is the first day of spring according to the calendar, but also because of World Poetry Day, which has been celebrated for many years. Since 2021, there has been a lovely tradition known as ‘Gift a Poem’, which involves giving each other poems – either your own or those written by famous poets. It is a special day on which words hold particular power, and poetry reaches places that ordinary conversation sometimes cannot.
This year, pupils from classes I d and II a gave free rein to their creative imagination, preparing and presenting to others poems they had chosen themselves. These included works by well-known poets, such as Herbert and Słowacki, but there were also original poems written by our pupils. There were reflective, funny, moving and thought-provoking poems. It turned out that poetry still has the power to bring people together, stir emotions and make us pause for a moment in the rush of everyday life. Because sometimes a few lines can say more than a long speech.