The STUKOT’56 Gala, organized in cooperation with the MTP Group, took place on June 23 at the Poznań International Fair. Among the many guests, the most important ones were real Heroes, participants and witnesses of the events from 69 years ago. The Stukot’56 Award, which took the symbolic form of a statuette in the shape of a worker’s wooden shoe – an okulok, aims to commemorate the heroes of the Poznań Uprising of June 1956 and to distinguish people who continue their work today, promoting the universal values demanded by the protesting workers: freedom, law, bread, God. The Honorary Patronage over the Award and the Gala is held by the Heroes of June 1956, who are still living among us.

Like every year, this time we had a huge problem. Because how to choose these three from among dozens of candidates for this symbolic award, the Stukot'56 statuette? Thanks to this award, we realize how much good there is around us, how many heroes live among us, how many foundations, associations care for others, stand up for the universal, timeless values inscribed on the Poznań June 1956 Monument. It is known that they do not do it for awards, for honors. After all, good, true, is quiet and modest. However, once a year, during the Stukot'56 Award Gala - the sounds of June, we want to show and honor these heroes. This award was established for this purpose, to be a loud, audible throughout Poland clatter of the history of June, Black Thursday 1956 and its contemporary heroes. This year's winners fit perfectly into the idea of the award and once again set the bar high for us - Przemysław Terlecki, Director of the Wielkopolska Museum of Independence, explained the choice.

- On June 28, 1956, demonstrators were allowed onto the grounds of the Poznań International Fair. It was then that the iconic photo of workers carrying Polish flags and banners with the Spire in the background was taken, reproduced by foreign media present at the June exhibition. It has become a symbol and historical identity of our institution. Grupa MTP proudly supports the STUKOT’56 Award, because we believe that the memory of the heroes of the Poznań June 1956 is the foundation of our identity and values. Our commitment is not only a tribute to history, but also an obligation to support those who today courageously work for freedom, dignity and social justice," says Tomasz Kobierski, President of the Management Board of Grupa MTP.

Winners 2025

In the “For God” category, Father Andrzej Dzida was honored – a missionary and Divine Word Missionary who has been serving in South Sudan and the Ugandan Bidi Bidi camp for years. He builds churches, educates children, and supports local communities affected by war and refugees.

In the “For Law and Bread” category, the award went to the Siepomaga Foundation – a Poznań-based organization that, thanks to new technologies and donors from all over Poland, has already raised over PLN 3.5 billion to help those in need.

In the “For Freedom” category, Aleksandra Banasiak was honored – a nurse who, on June 28, 1956, treated the wounded on the streets of Poznań, risking her own life. She has been socially active for years, involved in commemorating history, and passing on values to future generations.

The gala was graced by the theatre etude "June Memories" directed by Janusz Stolarski and Tomasz Jarosz - a tribute to the heroes of June '56, including the medical services.

The STUKOT'56 Award is organized by the Wielkopolska Museum of Independence in cooperation with the MTP Group, with the support of the City of Poznań and the Voivodeship Government. Partners include H. Cegielski - FPS, the Foundation for the Development of the City of Poznań, the Institute of National Remembrance and the Polish Economic Zone.


Nagrodę STUKOT’56 organizuje Wielkopolskie Muzeum Niepodległości we współpracy z Grupą MTP, przy wsparciu Miasta Poznania i Samorządu Województwa. Partnerami są m.in. H. Cegielski – FPS, Fundacja Rozwoju Miasta Poznania, IPN i Polska Strefa Ekonomiczna.