On the morning of August 16th 2026, Ania Skiendziel – our Ania passed away. The morning after Ferragosto, Feriae Augusti, a day still celebrated in Italy. It was a period of rest and celebration between the recently completed labours of the harvest and the approaching work of the next season. Established by Emperor Octavian Augustus in 18 BC.
Given her love for history, and particularly Roman history, this is a meaningful day also because she dedicated her life to seeding, to plant the seed of curiosity, wonder, critical thinking, empathy and knowledge in young minds.
Ania, historian and history educator with unstoppable determination, dedicated her life to others. She humbled us with her commitment to her mission. An incredible work that lingers on to give others the privilege of harvesting its sprout. Great young minds will go on to contribute to society and become respected professionals contributing to the success of organisations and society thanks to her work; women who found the strength to be leaders and lead organisations thanks to the seeds planted years before, while being one of her students. Also we, who harvested the result of her energy and passion she put into our Football Makes History project, will go on. The start of the football season and school year will never be the same.
She reminded us of resilience, a profound commitment to knowledge, and the importance of giving selflessly to others; values that we are sure will inspire us as we move forward in life. She was one of those teachers that students think of if you ask them what was the teacher that was really important in your life and personal development. Possessing not only knowledge and educational skills (plenty yes) but also personality and compassion.
From 2022 onward she opened the doors of her school to us and made us feel at home. Although we had come from abroad, we felt close to one another, united by a shared purpose. We remember the first time we came to Katowice, the celebration organised to mark the start of our project to work with local football clubs on more effective learning through local historical research and student-led film making. We were in awe, saying to each other that what was written on paper became a reality – tangible, strong, real- thanks to her. She was one of those extraordinary people who work quietly, without grand proclamations or press releases, yet accomplish so much, never holding back, but giving everything they have.
During the years since, our collaborations grew more intense. We organised film festivals, workshops, international training sessions and more engaging events together, culminating on a toolkit including her voice on how beneficial it is for young students to conduct independent local historical research, and how – something as insignificant as football – can be a conduit for social learning and cohesion. The short films her students produced, guided by our team, but mainly driven through your enthusiasm, expertise and can-do mentality and care, will forever reflect your spirit and ethos. This energy and drive to make a difference then resonated with others in our Football Makes History community, leading for example to the dedication of the first Peace Pitch in Poland, facilitated by the Children’s Football Alliance just a few months ago! In 2024 she was – together with two of her students invited to the Council of Europe Observatory of History Teaching in Europe in Strasbourg. This was a recognition of her innovative efforts to not just inspire students but also other teachers.
We are shocked with this sudden loss and share our deep felt condolences to Ania’s loved ones, her colleagues and students at Katowice vocational school Zespół Szkół Technicznych i Ogólnokształcących nr 2 w Katowicach (ZSTIO2) and the local, regional, national Polish, European and International communities of historians and history educators with whom she collaborated, through EuroClio, Confronting Memories and Każda Jest Ważna on addressing difficult pasts and presents of war and persecution, uncovering silenced female histories and learning from the past together, and much, much more – fighting for democracy, peace and justice, one history lesson, project, workshop and walking tour at a time.
On this terrible day, there is one thought that may lift our spirits, if only a little: her contribution to Europe and the world lives on in the many people who knew her and were deeply touched by her work and her gentle soul. Today we look at the group pictures and selfies we made in our great time of being together and with a heavy heart affirm: Your actions spoke louder than words. They will continue to resonate through all the lives you touched and forever changed.
sit tibi terra levis
Rest in Peace Ania.
June 11, 1983 – August 16, 2026
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