26 Sacroexpo - where liturgy and art. meet. Per Artem ad Deum Medals awarding ceremony

Through Arts to God: Twenty years of the Per Artem Ad Deum award

For two decades, the prestigious Per Artem Ad Deum medal has been presented during Sacroexpo, awarded under the patronage of the Vatican Dicastery for   Culture and Education. This year’s anniversary medal presentation honoured the Jedność Publishing House and the poet Adam Ziemianin.

- In this distinguished milieu of winners, outstanding creators, the award for the Publishing House is something exceptional. Thanks to the Per Artem Ad Deum award, our work and books become the art of printing. Together with all those who own this award, we have managed to create art through the publication of books that are becoming increasingly important in today's world - said Father Leszek Skorupa, the Director of Jedność Publishing House in Kielce

The gala was enhanced by a concert by the “U Studni” band, a musical group of the sung poetry genre, whose lyrics were written by Adam Ziemianin.

- Childhood is the poet's homeland, and the cradle of that childhood is the place where one spent it. I spent mine in Muszyna, a place created for poetry where I learned sensitivity and discovered the world.  My trips to the Muszyna Mountains offered beautiful conversations with the Most High. In a metaphorical sense, I met God there. Because I was humble enough in relation to God, towards the Most High, I sometimes wrote everything down as if I were talking to a friend. This distinction is special for me, considering also the publication of the volume "To Tu To Tam" together with Jedność Publishing House. This experience and sublime moments are a monumental culmination of what I have done so far, emphasised the poet Adam Ziemianin.

A joint project of Targi Kielce and both winners, i.e. rhe Jedność Publishing House and Adam Ziemianin have resulted in the volume "To Tu To Tam" with poems and drawings by the Krakow poet. 

Art at the heart of the expo

At Sacroexpo, you can see numerous exhibitions of modern religious and spiritual art, which attract both lovers of art and spirituality. The Art Zone, located within Art in House, occupied a special place, showcasing paintings, sculptures, and icons that presented modern sacred art by contemporary artists such as Borys Fiodorowicz, Piotr Barszczowski, Sylwia Perczak, and Aleksander Grzybek.

- The Art Zone presents both paintings and bas-reliefs, and all the works are very aesthetic and impressive.  Contemporary artists whose works are showcased at the trade fair reinterpret images of saints and biblical scenes in their style, drawing inspiration from the existing elements in canonical Catholic art. - explained Anita Wolszczak-Karasiewicz, owner of the Art in House Auction House and Art Gallery.

Expo guests could visit the exhibition "Art as a Testimony of the Pilgrims of Hope" with works by Drapikowski Studio, as well as the exhibition " Papal Madonnas: Regina Poloniae", which featured paintings of Madonnas crowned under papal law. The exhibition of memorabilia related to Pope Benedict XVI aroused great interest, and the iconographic oratory organised by the Wesoła 54 Pastoral Centre was a place of silence and spiritual reflection during the fair.

Meetings in the spirit of liturgy

This year's Sacroexpo featured the conference "The Spirit of the Liturgy is the Spirit of the Church", referring to the book "The Spirit of the Liturgy" by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger, which also marked the 20th anniversary of the election of Benedict XVI to the Chair of Peter. The meeting was opened by the Bishop of Kielce, Jan Piotrowski, who drew attention to the enormous importance of the liturgy for the Church and the faithful.

- The liturgy teaches how to be humble, because we must preserve in it what the liturgical books expect of us. This is the most beautiful expression of the Church's spirit and a form of catechesis.  The faithful choose parish communities in which the Holy Sacrifice or other services are celebrated with the utmost care; they find it essential to experience the liturgy both in its external dimension and in their souls. – explained the Bishop of Kielce.

The conference speakers' list included outstanding theologians and publicists, including Father Doctor Hab.  Jan Strumiłowski, Father Doctor Wojciech Surówka, Doctor Paweł Milcarek and Father Professor  Marek Lis. In the spirit of the liturgy, the conference with elements of the School of Sacristans, organised by the Sisters of St.  Jadwiga the Queen, Servant of Christ Present. The event, targeted at parish priests, sacristans, florists, and all those involved in liturgical life, received positive feedback.

Inspiring meetings at the show

Sacroexpo featured inspiring meetings with Father Doctor Michał Chaberek devoted to the relationship between faith and science, to name a few.  An opportunity to reflect on the journey through the life of Jesus was a conversation with the author of the book “Jesus: The Mystery of Redemption", by Fr.  Witold Kawecki, organised by Jedność Publishing House. Meet the Author Session featuring Father Sebastian Picur at the Rafael Publishing House: The Life Plan According to Carl Acutis, Rafael Publishing House. - In today's world, the tools certainly make evangelisation easier. Many people use the Internet; thus, priests want to reach as many people as possible. We invite them to church, to services, organise pastoral activities, and invite them to join communities. Some welcome these invitations, others do not because they are not at church. On the other hand, one of the bishops of the Przemyśl diocese noticed that if we are present on social media, people have access to us at all times - Father Sebastian Picur explained.

T he Święty Wojciech Publishing House organised the meeting on pastoral aid. The Lenten Scratch Card makes it possible to learn the secrets of Lenten exercises. Caritas provided details on the Polish humanitarian program, Rodzina Rodzinie.Family to Family

Competitions and attractions for visitors to the Sacroexpo

Competitions for visitors to the Sacroexpo could win you the latest Catholic books, funded by the largest Polish publishing houses exhibiting at the show. Four consecrated persons: two nuns and priests, after completing a competition task - a quiz at the stand of the Franciscan Tourist and Pilgrimage Office Patron Travel, won a pilgrimage to Rome, in homage to St.  John Paul II.  The winners of the quiz were: Sister Grażyna Jędrocha and Sister Daria Ostaszewska as well as Father Tadeusz Górny and Father Jakub Łabuz will enjoy the trip.

The 27th Sacroexpo will take place from 15 to 17 June 2026 at Targi Kielce.