Roman Giertych has once again stirred the pot. The lawyer publicly supports moving the statue of Lech Kaczyński from Piłsudski Square in Warsaw and replacing it with a monument to General Rozwadowski.
On Twitter, the former leader of the League of Polish Families echoed his position, arguing that the memory of President Lech Kaczyński should be honored with a different tribute, one dedicated to General Rozwadowski. The proposal envisions a new landmark that recognizes the participants of the Battle of Warsaw through Rozwadowski’s legacy.
In a post attributed to Giertych, the call was clear: dismantle the current statue to Lech Kaczyński in Piłsudski Square and raise a monument to General Rozwadowski to commemorate the heroic defense of Warsaw.
Giertych’s stance and the discourse
Beyond the social media post, the discussion has drawn in supporters and critics alike. The question of whether to replace a longstanding symbol with a different historical figure has become a focal point for debates about memory, national identity, and how cities honor the past.
Observers note that proposals like this can propel a political conversation, potentially affecting how various groups position themselves ahead of elections and legislative debates. The idea has sparked wide-ranging reactions, with some welcoming a fresh tribute to military leadership and others urging caution about altering publicly revered monuments.
The exchange underscores how monuments function as living elements of history, capable of shaping public memory and prompting reflection on which stories are told in public spaces. It also illustrates how social media amplification can turn a single suggestion into a broader public dialogue about history, legitimacy, and the responsibilities of political figures to confront or preserve the past. A portion of the public appears open to reimagining the square as a space that honors military leadership and resilience in moments of national crisis.
For those following the conversation, the topic remains a reminder of how symbolic realignment in a capital city can reflect wider shifts in political sentiment and the ongoing negotiation of historical memory in public spaces. The discussion continues to be acompanied by media coverage and commentary from various political perspectives, each interpreting the proposal through its own lens of national narrative.
Citations: wPolityce