‘Polska_Kreatywni. Culture Builds Identity’ Competition (2nd edition)

The aim of the competition is to create a product or a cohesive collection of gifts that offers a modern interpretation of Polish culture and craft traditions. The winning design should present Poland as a creative and contemporary country that is mindful of its heritage.

The winning concept will be produced in a limited edition of 800 numbered items, signed with the first and last names of the designers. An integral part of the project will be dedicated packaging with a description of the concept, the craft techniques employed, and a biography of the designer.

The total prize fund for the competition is PLN 28,000.

The first edition of the competition was won by the collection of wax candle sculptures ‘Iskra Polska’ by Bartosz Górka, Magdalena Heliasz and Agata Janowska-Starmach.

Stage I (open) – submission of concepts and visualisations by 16 August 2026.

Stage II (closed) – the three selected finalists will be invited to refine their designs with a view to implementation and production. The winning design will be selected within three weeks of the end of Stage I.

The ‘Polska_Kreatywni. Culture Builds Identity’ competition is organised by the Institute of Creative Industries in collaboration with the Information Centre of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage

The “Polska_Kreatywni. Culture Builds Identity” competition is an initiative of the Institute of Creative Industries (IPK) and the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.

The main aim of the project is to seek out and support modern high-quality products and design concepts that offer a fresh interpretation of Polish culture, craftsmanship and heritage. The competition is based on the belief that culture is a living fabric that shapes our contemporary identity – both locally and in an international context.

The competition aims to promote the domestic creative sector by identifying and rewarding the best Polish designers and creators, as well as by combining tradition with modernity, sustainability and functionality.

The project’s objective does not end with the awarding of the prize. The Institute of Creative Industries is responsible for producing the winning design. The selected products become official diplomatic gifts presented to distinguished guests from Poland and abroad.

The first edition of the competition demonstrated the enormous creative potential inherent in Polish design. The entries, assessed by a jury of experts, were of a very high artistic and technical standard.

The winner of the first edition (taking first place in both categories at the time) was the ‘Iskra polska’ design by Bartosz Górka, Magdalena Heliasz and Agata Janowska-Starmach.

The designers presented a series of sculptural candles made from natural beeswax in natural colours, formally drawing on the traditions of the Zakopane School and Slavic mythology. The project perfectly embodied the spirit of the competition. It combined Slavic tradition, modern form, an eco-friendly material and the symbolism of the ‘spark’ as a metaphor for the creative potential of Polish artists.

The second edition of the competition focuses on even greater precision and concentration of the creators’ energy. Instead of dividing entries into separate categories, we introduced a single, cohesive main category. In this way, we aim to direct designer attention toward creating a single refined concept.

The prize fund has also increased – a total of PLN 28,000 is set aside for the winners of the top three places.

The project creates a space in which drawing on Polish tradition and craftsmanship takes on a contemporary dimension. We demonstrate that our national heritage provides an excellent foundation for creating sought-after functional products and prestigious diplomatic gifts. The competition demonstrates that building identity through culture can be modern, aesthetically pleasing and sustainable, whilst at the same time representing Poland with dignity on the international stage.