Poland revokes Warsaw Uprising patronages after OnlyFans creator named ambassador

Ministerial patronages revoked

Poland's Ministry of Culture and National Heritage cancelled its honorary patronage over the 82nd Warsaw Uprising commemorations organized by Stowarzyszenie Warszawa 44 on 21 August 2026. Minister of Culture Marta Cienkowska made the decision after the non-governmental group appointed public figures to promote the anniversary whose profiles prompted public criticism. The Ministry of Sport and Tourism took a matching step, withdrawing its patronage from two related youth sports competitions, the Independence Cup Mazovia 2026 and a youth football tournament. The culture ministry clarified in an official statement that it had provided neither financial nor organizational support to the association, adding that the selection of figures was never consulted with government officials.

The personnel decisions made by the association regarding the selection of event ambassadors flagrantly violate the dignity and widely accepted standards of commemorating the heroes of the Warsaw Uprising.

Roster of campaign ambassadors

The controversy centered on the "Ambasadorzy Pamięci Powstania Warszawskiego" campaign, organized to mark the 82nd anniversary of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising. The association distributed symbolic packages with commemorative t-shirts bearing the Kotwica (Fighting Poland anchor) and the image of the Little Insurgent (Mały Powstaniec) to cultural figures, athletes, and media personalities. Among the recipients who published promotional images were sports figures including former boxer Dariusz Michalczewski, former footballer Jacek Bąk, boxers Krzysztof Kosedowski and Mariusz Wach, players from Legia Warsaw, and writer Wojtek Friedmann.

The backlash intensified after two specific selections became public. Monika Laskowska, an online presenter and freak-fight participant active on the adult subscription platform OnlyFans under the name MonaLisa, shared photos wearing the commemorative attire. Criticism also targeted the inclusion of kick-boxer Marcin Różalski, who had previously made public remarks expressing sympathy for Vladimir Putin and commenting on the conflict in Donbas. Critics and politicians, including Sobieski Institute expert Sebastian Meitz, argued that these choices degraded the significance of the uprising.

NGO terminates ambassador partnerships

In response to the public reaction, Stowarzyszenie Warszawa 44 initially removed photos of Laskowska from its website and social media profiles on 20 August 2026. The association issued a clarification stating that it selected ambassadors independently to reach diverse audiences without ministerial involvement. On 21 August 2026, association president Dariusz Michalak announced that the organization had severed ties with both Laskowska and Różalski.

Laskowska defends public role

Following her removal, Laskowska addressed the controversy during an interview with Polsat News, rejecting the accusations and questioning the motives behind the criticism. She described her career as multifaceted, citing her participation in two freak-fight bouts, including a past match against Marianna Schreiber, and referencing acting coaching in Hollywood that included a screening test with Al Pacino.

Am I supposed to apologize for the beauty I was born with, which I care for and nurture? I am speaking not only of external beauty, but inner beauty above all.

Laskowska also suggested that political figures might have orchestrated the backlash against her. She stated that the public debate distorted her public image and maintained that her artistic work was intended to convey hope.