A monument to Aleksandra Piłsudska, an independence activist and the second wife of Józef Piłsudski, who was born in this city, is to be erected in Suwałki (Podlaskie Voivodeship). Even though the monument has already been carved, no one wants to pay the artist. Under the previous government, the initiative was supported by PiS MP Jarosław Zieliński, but the foundation that was supposed to obtain money from State Treasury companies failed to do so. The monument construction committee was dissolved. Now a new one is to be built.
On October 13 last year, two days before the parliamentary elections, the MP and former deputy minister Ministry of Interior and Administration Jarosław Zieliński was in Suwałki at the ceremonial presentation of the monument to Aleksandra Piłsudska, an independence activist from Suwałki, who was the second wife of Józef Piłsudski. The initiative to erect a monument to her was taken by the Piłsudski Association of the Republic of Poland of the Suwałki Region. A social construction committee was established, headed by the president of the union, Grzegorz Pietkiewicz. MP Zieliński took the initiative under honorary patronage.
The monument was presented two days before the elections. He was standing on a truck trailer UM Suwałki
There is no one to pay 300,000. zloty
The monument, created by sculptor Stanisław Śliwa, was transported on a truck trailer on October 13 and ceremoniously presented. Two months later (December 12, on the anniversary of Aleksandra Piłsudska's birth) it was to be erected on the edge of the Constitution Park of May 3. It hasn't stopped yet.
The social committee has dissolved, and there is no one to pay Stanisław Śliwa PLN 300,000. PLN for creating the monument.
– We came to the conclusion that we were unable to collect such a large sum, so the committee was dissolved – explains Grzegorz Pietkiewicz.
The foundation was to obtain money from State Treasury companies
He adds that this also includes, among others: costs of relocating water and electrical installations that run under the place where the monument is to be located.
– The Committee has never had legal personality. Hence, the Warsaw-based Polska360 Foundation, which was recommended to me by MP Zieliński, became involved in the case. The foundation was to obtain money from two State Treasury companies. Unfortunately, nothing came of it, and after the elections, contact with the foundation was lost, says Pietkiewicz.
Grzegorz Pietkiewicz: the matter has become unnecessarily political
When we point out that after the change of government in Poland, we cannot count on State Treasury companies providing money for an initiative supported by a prominent politician PISsays that the issue has become unnecessarily political.
– Neither the committee nor the Piłsudski Association was and is not politically involved. As for MP Zieliński, I thought he could help us because he had previously supported the creation of three monuments to the Victims of the Augustów Roundup (they were erected in Augustów, Suwałki and Sokółka – editor's note). I did not realize that this could be a burden in the future – Pietkiewicz points out.
MP Zieliński was at the ceremonial presentation UM Suwałki
MP Zieliński: the most important thing is the idea of erecting a monument
Despite attempts, we were unable to obtain a comment from the Polska360 Foundation. MP Jarosław Zieliński says that he does not remember whether he actually recommended it to Grzegorz Pietkiewicz.
– We were looking – not only me, but also other people – for entities that could support the initiative. Everything happened at the turn of the Sejm term. As far as I know, there were preliminary declarations from State Treasury companies, but the matter has not been finalized – he notes.
He emphasizes that what is important is the idea of erecting the first monument to Aleksandra Piłsudska in Poland, and not the fact that he supported the initiative.
– This is a matter of patriotism, not current politics – says the MP.
He denies that it was part of the campaign
When we ask whether the ceremonial presentation of the monument, which took place two days before the elections, was not part of the election campaign, he claims that the monument's construction coincided with the elections.
– It's hard to treat it as part of a campaign. The memory of Aleksandra Piłsudska certainly deserves to have this monument erected in Suwałki, notes Zieliński.
A new committee is to be established
The mayor of Suwałki, Czesław Renkiewicz, is also in favor of erecting the monument (although without the city's financial support). On September 30, he invited local entrepreneurs and representatives of non-governmental organizations to a meeting.
– The effect of the meeting was that a new monument construction committee was to be established, and the matter would be managed by social activists from the Kostroma Cultural Association (it runs, among others, the Tourist Information Point in Suwałki – editor's note), who were to collect money, among others. through an online collection – says Kamil Sznel, the president's spokesman.
They will collect money on the Internet and approach companies
Vice-president of the association, Karol Świerzbin, points out that costs are currently being estimated. – In addition to 300 thousand PLN for the artist, you also need to find money to arrange the space and postpone the installation. The monument weighs its own weight and cannot stand on installations, he says.
He adds that in addition to the online collection, the association will seek help from various companies and people of good will.
– This monument should definitely be erected – he emphasizes.
Sculptor: the monument is waiting in the warehouse
The sculptor Stanisław Śliwa is optimistic.
– For now, it is secured in the warehouse. I would need a day and a half to install it. I certainly wouldn't want there to be any bad atmosphere around the monument, he says.
Grzegorz Pietkiewicz, quoted earlier, does not want this either, emphasizing that although the social committee has been dissolved, the Piłsudski Association will always support the initiative.
– If possible, I would like to join the new construction committee – he notes.
Main photo source: UM Suwałki