Who is Justyna Steczkowska? Get to Know Poland’s Eurovision 2025 Representative

On February 14th, Polish broadcaster Telewizja Polska (TVP) hosted the grand final of Polskich Kwalifikacji, the national selection show bringing back Poland’s open competition format. Eleven acts battled it out for the chance to follow Luna as Poland’s Eurovision representative.

Emerging victorious was Justyna Steczkowska, who captured the audience’s hearts with 39.32% of the votes—a commanding win with a 15% lead over runner-up duo SW@DA & Niczos (“Lusterka”) and 25% ahead of Dominik Dudek (“Hold The Light”).

Now, she’s set to represent Poland at Eurovision 2025 in Basel, ready to showcase her artistry on the European stage once again.

Who is Justyna Steczkowska? Meet Poland’s Star Returning to Eurovision After 30 Years

At 52 years old, Justyna Steczkowska is a celebrated Polish singer, songwriter, and actress, known for her incredible four-octave vocal range. Coming from a family of musicians, she initially played violin in a family band before embarking on her vocal journey.

She rose to fame in 1994, winning the popular music show Szansa na sukces with her rendition of “Boskie Buenos (Buenos Aires)”. Later that year, she was named “Best New Artist” at the prestigious Opole Song Festival.

This isn’t her first Eurovision appearance—she previously represented Poland in Eurovision 1995 in Dublin with the song “Sama”, finishing 18th out of 23 countries with 15 points.

Today, she balances other projects, including serving as a coach on The Voice Poland, but returning to Eurovision had long been a dream. Last year, she submitted “Gai” for Poland’s internal selection but wasn’t chosen. However, the song, released on November 28, 2024, gained significant popularity among fans.

Now, Justyna reflects on her Eurovision comeback, contrasting her experience at 22 years old with the seasoned artist she is today. Speaking to Pytanie na śniadanie after her national victory, she shared:

“There’s nothing like discovering your own voice, knowing where to go, how to practice, and how to make that voice deeper and more expressive.”

With 19 studio albums, numerous gold and platinum certifications, over 300 released songs, around 40 music videos, and thousands of concerts, Justyna’s extensive career backs her up for her Basel performance. She has also earned multiple awards, including 6 Fryderyk Awards, 2 Wiktor Awards, and the coveted Róże Gali and Amber Nightingalehonors.

Her latest album, “Witch Tarohoro”, stands out as a conceptual project blending Polish folk music with modern electronic sounds, creating a mystical atmosphere. Exploring themes of spirituality, nature, and female empowerment, the album’s title invokes the image of a “wise witch,” symbolizing ancestral knowledge and strength—elements reflected in her music and visuals.

“Every drop counts. Every one of us is valuable. Together, we can form a renewed ocean of life where future generations can see themselves. I want to remind us who we are—not just in nature and the world, but in the universe.”

“GAJA”: Poland’s Eurovision 2025 Entry Explained

“GAJA” is a powerful anthem celebrating personal strength and transcendence. Here, Mother Earth becomes a symbol of divinity, power, and love, blending the spiritual and the human to highlight our connection with nature. Justyna intentionally performs mostly in Polish, adding a few lines in English:

“This song has Slavic roots. I believe we should all sing in our native languages because the beauty of this world lies in our differences.”

Through “GAJA”, Justyna aims to send a message about reconnecting with nature and respecting its laws, as she explained to Daily Magazine:

“We’re all connected. We directly influence one another. By expanding our awareness, I believe we’ll slowly become a holistic society sensitive not only to our needs but also to the needs of the world around us.”

Lyrics: GAJA by Justyna Steczkowska (Original + English Translation)

Looking for the lyrics to “GAJA” by Justyna Steczkowska? Whether you’re searching for the original Polish lyrics or an English translation, we’ve got you covered. This song’s powerful message resonates deeply in both languages, blending Slavic roots with a universal call to nature and empowerment.

Here’s a side-by-side of the lyrics in Polish and English so you can follow along while watching Eurovision 2025:

Poland’s Eurovision Journey So Far

Poland made its Eurovision debut in 1994, achieving its best-ever result in its first year when Edyta Górniak placed 2nd with “To Nie Ja!”. Poor results led to relegation in 2000 and 2002.

Between 1994 and 2011, Poland reached the Top 10 only once: in 2003, Ich Troje placed 7th with “Keine Grenzen-Żadnych Granic”. Poland withdrew in 2012 and 2013 due to financial constraints.

More recently, Ochman’s “River” (12th in 2022) and Blanka’s “Solo” (19th in 2023) both reached the grand final. However, in 2024, Luna’s “The Tower” narrowly missed qualification, finishing 12th in the semifinal.