Culture of Our Memory: "Gromada" Authors at the European Journalism Awards

The competition took place in 2025 under the motto: "World War II after 80 years. What remains of the Second World War today?".

"Gromada" analyst Olena Zelenina was the only participant from Ukraine to enter the top 5 honorary laureates, who were awarded the competition's distinction in the "Written Category" for the article "The Countess vs. Krueger... How a professor of art history managed to overcome the head of the Gestapo..."

The article is dedicated to the fate of a professor at Lviv University, Countess Karolina Lanckorońska (1898 – 2002) - a hereditary Polish aristocrat who went through the Gestapo dungeons and the Ravensbrück women's concentration camp.

It is very relevant today that this fragile yet strong woman provides us with an example of a righteous life under tragic circumstances and tireless resistance to evil in a situation where it seems as if Evil is winning.

The international jury emphasized that it honors this article for its "sensitivity to historical nuances and consistency of approach in the author's creative work."

Among the honorary laureates are also three representatives from Poland and one from Great Britain.

"Gromada" journalist Elina Oshurko was recognized with a commendation from the jury for her participation in the competition with the poignant essay "Two Wars, Two Occupations, Two Liberations" about how the Ukrainian city of Izyum survived the Second World War and is experiencing the full-scale invasion of the RF.

Elina Oshurko's article is valuable because it is based on the memories of an Izyum teacher, Maria Kapanina. Her heroine remembers well what Izyum was like during the Second World War.

In total, 139 applications were received for the competition from 69 authors representing 27 countries. The jury evaluated 132 works: 90 written, 29 audio, and 13 video.

The European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS) promotes dialogue by linking the history of 20th-century European nations. The goal is — guided by a spirit of mutual trust — to support the development of a common European culture of memory.