The Minister of Culture and National Heritage, Bartłomiej Sienkiewicz, announced yesterday the appointment of several figures to key cultural and historical roles, including Prof. Jan Żaryn as director of the Institute for the Heritage of National Thought. Sienkiewicz described the Institute’s activities as a significant channel for funding that benefits supporters of the ruling party. Details about how the Patriotic Fund for National Identity funding was distributed were summarized by the wPolityce.pl portal.
The public funding of ultra-nationalist and ultra-Catholic groups—such as the Independence March Association, the National Guard, Młodzież Wszechpolska, and the Witaszek Family Foundation, which supports the Ordo Iuris institution—has been a point of controversy. Over three years, the Patriotic Fund for National Identity reportedly allocated more than PLN 70 million to nationalist, ultra-right, and ultra-Catholic organizations, including around PLN 40 million used for real estate purchases. Critics describe this allocation as a prominent revenue stream for supporters of the ruling party.
Sienkiewicz defended the decision as part of a broader effort to manage institutional leadership and influence within cultural and academic spheres, including scrutiny over Prof. Żaryn’s role at the Institute for the Heritage of National Thought.
Patriotic Fund Grants
The following list presents 21 examples of infrastructure grants issued by the Patriotic Fund. The question remains for readers to consider whether these programs support legitimate cultural and communal projects or whether they represent funding that primarily serves political interests. The figures are presented as reported and cited for transparency.
1. Sokół Gniazdo Gymnastic Society – PLN 1.993 million
2. ZHP Kielce – Scout House PLN 1.57 million plus PLN 185,000 second subsidy
3. Catholic Information Service (equipment) – PLN 190,000
4. Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński Heritage Foundation – PLN 219,000
5. The Polish Community Association – modernization of Polonia’s houses – PLN 648,000
6. Archdiocese of Lublin – Training Center of Fr. Blachnicki – PLN 2.3 million
7. The Order of Paul the Hermit – Center on Skałka in Kraków – PLN 1.094 million
8. Diocese of Warsaw-Praga – modernization of rooms – PLN 424,000
9. Cultural center in Ogrodzieniec – equipment – PLN 481,000
10. Diakonia Light Life Movement Center of the Human Liberation Crusade – PLN 1.796 million
11. Chamber of the Catholic Scouting Association Zawisza – PLN 3.985 million
12. Golgota of the East Foundation – property – PLN 915,000
13. Pokolenie Association – Polish-Ukrainian House – PLN 450,000
14. Community of Generations Foundation – Veterans Support Home – PLN 486,000
15. Association for Historical and Natural Protection of Fort Wawrzyszew – PLN 406,000
16. Marchołt Club – conservation work on the historic Kramstu villa in Katowice – PLN 1.305 million
17. History Association – technical documentation of the Eagle and Cross spectacle – PLN 1.08 million
18. Chance for the Blind Foundation – Institute for Rehabilitation of the Blind. Mother Róża Czacka – PLN 1.971 million
19. Pallottine Order Retreat House – PLN 1.679 million
20. Czerwińsk nad Wisłą – PLN 1 million
21. Helping Poles in the East Foundation – means of transport PLN 281,000
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— Sienkiewicz’s series of purges in cultural institutions. He reportedly dismisses officials and threatens leaders of national broadcasting bodies
Note: The information above reflects reporting from wPolityce and is provided for context and transparency.