The Handwritten Letter Competition has received more than 7,000 letters over the past 13 years. People from all over the world may enter; the only requirement is to write the letter by hand in Polish. This year there are two topics:
- for younger participants, “If I Had an Enchanted Pencil…”
- and “The Story of One Acquaintance…” for the category aged over 16
An additional prize may be awarded for calligraphy, although this is not a mandatory criterion. For the past nine years, the event has been held under the patronage of Związek Literatów Polskich – Oddział w Szczecinie, whose members will judge the entries.
Letters should be sent to:
Gminny Ośrodek Kultury i Sportu w Bolesławcu z/s w Kruszynie
Kruszyn
ul. Kasztanowa 1b
59-700 Bolesławiec
The award ceremony will take place on the last Friday of November and will also include a meeting with members of the competition jury. Information is also available by telephone at: 782450211.
Competition rules
Purpose
The purpose of the competition is to save the art of letter writing from being forgotten, including emphasizing the importance of an aesthetic and legible presentation of the letter’s content (e.g. using stationery); and to develop imagination and the ability to express oneself freely through original texts.
Topic
This year’s competition has two topics:
“The Story of One Acquaintance...” – for ages 13–15 and 16 and above
“If I Had an Enchanted Pencil…” – for the youngest age category (10–12 years)
The letter may be addressed to a real or fictional person and may also be an open letter. Each participant may interpret the topic and develop it as they see fit.
Format
Each participant may submit ONE LETTER written legibly by hand in Polish. Illegible letters will not be judged. Entries must be written on paper (a notebook page, stationery, etc.; please do not include illustrations) and take the form of a letter enclosed in an envelope. The envelope should also contain a separate sheet with the participant’s details: first and last name, address (and, if applicable, email address), contact telephone number, and consent to the publication and processing of personal data (solely for promotional purposes related to the competition).
Participation requirements
Entries will be judged in the following age categories:
- Category: 10–12 years
- Category: 13–15 years
- Category: 16 years and above
Judging and prizes
The submitted letters will be judged by a competition committee made up of writers. The organizer will provide attractive prizes for the winners of the two younger categories; winners in the adult categories will also receive gift vouchers in addition to material prizes. Their value will depend on the competition committee’s verdict and the number of awarded places.
Deadline and address
Entries should be sent to:
Gminny Ośrodek Kultury i Sportu w Bolesławcu z s. w Kruszynie
Kruszyn, ul. Kasztanowa 1b; 59-700 Bolesławiec, by 25 October 2019
(note: the postmark date is decisive)
Competition winners will be notified by telephone of the award ceremony date. The final is scheduled for 29 November 2019, and the results will be published on www.gokis.boleslawiec.org and on the fan page of Gminny Ośrodek Kultury i Sportu w Bolesławcu z s. w Kruszynie.
The competition is open to everyone, regardless of place of residence.