The ceremonies marking the awarding of the “Borderland Person of the Year 2026” title have concluded in Sejny and Krasnogruda. This year’s recipients are American historians and writers, Professors Marci Shore and Timothy Snyder, who for many years have studied the history and experience of Central and Eastern Europe.
A delegation from the Institute of Central Europe (IEŚ) attended the award ceremony: IEŚ Director Dr Grzegorz Gil and Deputy Director Dr Anton Saifullayeu.
The “Borderland Person of the Year” title, awarded by the Borderland Foundation and the “Borderland – Arts, Cultures, Nations” Centre, recognises individuals whose work contributes to overcoming prejudices and building understanding across national and cultural borders.
Marci Shore and Timothy Snyder are among the most important contemporary scholars of Central and Eastern Europe. Their work addresses, among other topics, totalitarianism, imperialism, the Holocaust, historical memory, and contemporary threats to democracy.
“The Historian of Tomorrow” – IEŚ Publication on Timothy Snyder
The recognition of Timothy Snyder is of particular significance to the Institute of Central Europe, which published a monograph by Professor Jan Pomorski, “The Historian of Tomorrow: An Intellectual Portrait of Timothy Snyder”, devoted to the American historian’s work and intellectual development.
The publication examines how Snyder combines research into the history of Central and Eastern Europe with reflections on the contemporary world, democracy, and the intellectual’s responsibility. The publication is available in PDF format on our website: “The Historian of Tomorrow: An Intellectual Portrait of Timothy Snyder”.
This year’s events formed part of the celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the “Borderland – Arts, Cultures, Nations” Centre. Once again, Sejny and Krasnogruda became venues for an important European conversation about history, memory, culture, and contemporary challenges. The awarding of the title to Marci Shore and Timothy Snyder is another reminder of the importance of the borderland as a space for encounter, dialogue, and the exchange of ideas.
Main photo: Agata Wasilewska / @pogranicze.sejny
The Title “Borderland Person of the Year 2026” Awarded to Marci Shore and Timothy Snyder. IEŚ Monograph on the Laureate Available Online