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The exhibition of the 10th International Biennale of Socio-Political Posters “Creative for human rights” opened on 27 September 2024 at the International Youth Meeting Centre in Oświęcim. 

The exhibition presents 80 posters out of 481 submitted to the competition by 207 artists from 24 countries around the world. The themes of the works cover a wide range of human rights violations, such as racism, discrimination, violence, war, social inequality, as well as the rights of women, children and minorities. 

Three grand prizes were awarded in the competition, as well as funded prizes and honourable mentions. The first prize winner was Tomasz Boguslawski for his poster ‘Kaddish’. The second prize was awarded to Katarzyna Nachman for her poster ‘Wolf’. The third prize was awarded by the jury to Magdalena Wosik for her poster ‘Light up... Give your head a rest. A full list of awards and winners can be found here: https://mdsm.pl/aktualnosci/post/10-miedzynarodowe-biennale-plakatu-spoleczno-politycznego 

The International Poster Biennale, organised since 2006, is one of the most important events of the IYMC, providing a platform for artists from all over the world to address the most relevant issues of the contemporary world. Each edition is attended by many outstanding artists, representing different countries and cultures. During the 18 years of the project, the Oświęcim Biennale has become one of the more recognisable international poster competitions, and Oświęcim - City of Peace has become an important centre of politically and socially engaged poster art in Poland.

The opening of the exhibition was attended by artists, jurors, art lovers and residents of Oświęcim. Guests at the opening included representatives of the prize funders: Janusz Chwierut, Mayor of the City of Oswiecim together with a delegation from the twin towns of Oswiecim, Holger Mahnicke, Consul General of Germany in Cracow, Wojciech Kajdas, member of the Board of the Oswiecim Poviat, Marese Hoffmann, spokesperson for the Dachau and Oswiecim Poviat Partnership, together with a delegation from the District of Dachau, Natalia Pawlus, Ph.D., Professor of the University of Silesia, Rafał Urbański, treasurer of the Board of the ZPAP, Halina Musiał, deputy mayor of Oświęcim, and Martin Gärtner, Austrian Consul General in Krakow, who presented awards to the artists. Director Joanna Klęczar-Déodat also read out a letter from Florian Hartmann, Mayor of the City of Dachau. The opening was honoured by a concert by the ‘Symetrio’ accordion trio (Marcin Jabłoński, Adam Potera and Krystian Saciłowski).

The exhibition can be seen at the International Youth Meeting Centre in Oświęcim until 31 December 2024.

The 10th International Biennale of Socio-Political Posters “Creative for human rights” was held under the honorary patronage of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage of Poland.

Partners: Rosa Luxemburg Foundation, City of Oświęcim, the International Auschwitz Committee, City of Dachau, Oświęcim Poviat, Dachau District, Oświęcim Municipality, Małopolska Voivodeship, General Consulate of the Federal Republic of Germany in Kraków, Future Fund of the Republic of Austria, Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice, University of Silesia in Katowice, Association of Polish Artists and Designers, Omag Machine and Equipment Factory, Austrotherm Sp. z o.o., Plantpol Sp. z o.o., RE-Bau Sp. z o.o.