The Ursynów Lapidarium controversy in Warsaw: opinions, costs, and public response
In Warsaw, a sharp debate arose around the so-called Ursynów lapidarium, a project installed in the park of the Home Army Cichociemni Parachutists. Critics argued it looked like a chaotic heap of reinforced concrete slabs, while supporters framed it as a public art installation and a place to study or display fragments of stone and architectural debris. A plaque placed by the College van Groen described the collection as a lapidary, a designated space for preserving and presenting natural stone pieces and architectural fragments.
Residents of Ursynów and local councilors pressed for the removal of the installation due to safety concerns for children playing in the park. The Warsaw city authorities eventually issued a decree ordering the installation’s removal, and the debris disappeared from the park on a recent Friday.
PAP contacted Tobiasz Bocheński, the Mazovian Voivode, to obtain an official response on the Ursynów Lapidarium.
The governor’s assessment
The governor characterized the project as a ridiculous idea from the start. Lapidaries exist in various parts of the world, with Italy offering examples that feature fragments of Roman columns and remains from ancient buildings.
He noted that the concept of turning a former apartment building from the era of the People’s Republic of Poland into a lapidarium is unusual and could be seen as creative, though he questioned the prudence of using public funds for this purpose.
As a suggestion, he urged Warsaw’s president to consult broader cultural works, such as Kapuściński’s collection of essays that touches on similar themes, rather than allocating public resources to a project that might be perceived as diverting attention from essential municipal needs. He remarked that the project can evoke laughter and cast Warsaw in a peculiar light, while also representing a potential misallocation of public money.
The park dedicated to the Home Army Cichociemni Parachutists is located in Kabaty, Warsaw, and its revitalization has progressed gradually. The overall project value is around PLN 9 million, while the labor cost attributed to the lapidarium component stands at roughly PLN 1,000. The land art sculpture work was carried out by AG-Complex, a firm involved in cleaning and related activities.
Public commentary
The episode drew significant public interest. Representatives from various circles commented on the configuration of the capital’s town hall and the project’s reception. Remarks were shared by public figures on media platforms, reflecting a broad spectrum of opinions about whether the installation met public interests or simply served as a provocative focal point for debate.
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Mon/PAP
Source: wPolityce