Mariusz Sarzyński wins Photo of the Year for Pomerania and Kujawy 2025

Mariusz Sarzyński’s intriguing shot taken in Pakość is the Photo of the Year for Pomerania and Kujawy 2025. The photograph evokes the carefree nature of childhood, is somewhat nostalgic and, as Joanna Piecyk, one of this year’s judges, admitted, captivated all three members of the jury. Julia Marszewska and Wojtek Szabelski were also members of the jury this year. Mariusz Sarzyński’s photo is intriguing not only because of its subject matter, but also because of the way it was captured. It is a truly unconventional composition. The apparent symmetry and rhythm are broken here by a blurred black spot – the silhouette of a dog.

In addition to the Grand Prix, the jury also awarded the Alicja Piotrowska Prize for social and environmental sensitivity, which this year went to Mieczysław Matyasik, and two honorable mentions, for Anna Rusiłko and Jarek Fisz. The Audience Award, i.e. the award voted for by Internet users, went to Joanna Stepaniuk.

All the award-winning works are, of course, presented at the post-competition exhibition at WOAK. Here you will see almost forty photographs by 23 participants in the Toruń Photo Walks. Each and every one of them is a unique creative personality. The exhibition therefore showcases the whole richness of photography: from poetic landscapes, through social reportage, to abstract photography.

The Pomerania and Kujawy Photo of the Year 2025 exhibition can be viewed until the end of January 2026 at WOAK on the 4th and 5th floors of the Culture Mill. The exhibition is open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., as well as during events organized by WOAK. The exhibition is closed on holidays and public holidays.

The organization of the post-competition exhibition “Photo of the Year of Pomerania and Kujawy 2025” and the publication of the calendar “Castles and Palaces of Pomerania and Kujawy 2026” were co-financed from the budget of the Local Government of the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province.

The event is partnered by the Kujawsko-Pomorskie Province.