Erecting monuments involves not only commemoration, but also appropriation of space - when erecting monuments, the question to ask is not only "to whom do we erect a monument," but also "where do we erect it." This issue was revived in Krakow with the commemoration of the Orląt Lwowskich.
Thepark named after Wislawa Szymborska was created in pain for several years, as we wrote in the article "Park named after Wislawa Szymborska. Better than it was, although it could have been better". In the meantime, the owners of the plot in the middle of the city changed, and with them the ideas for its development. Eventually it was possible to create a park dedicated to the figure of Wislawa Szymborska - where in many places we can find references to her work in the form of puzzles, quotes or a mural.
The idea to place a monument to the Orląt Lwowskich came from the mayor of Krakow and received the approval of most councilors
photo by Wiktor Bochenek
The final realization of the park evokes mixed feelings - one appreciates the fact that the park was created at all, but it still lacks a few elements such as large trees, transverse paths or adaptation to the needs of people with disabilities, as pointed out by one of the initiators of the park.
I am very happy that finally, after so many years of efforts, residents can use this park. What's more, the park is still full of people, which shows how much it was needed. I think this is the first parking lot in Krakow that residents are genuinely glad to see liquidated. Of course, there are a few things to improve. There are a lot of trees and cross paths missing (the park has to be walked around), and, unfortunately, there are also unnecessary thresholds and faults that make it difficult for people with disabilities to get around. This can and should be improved," says Natalia Nazim, the initiator of the creation of the park.
These problems seem less important if we look at the idea of the Mayor of Cracow and the Cracow City Council, which decided that the newly created park would be a good place for the monument to the Orląt Lwowskich.
Residents, as part of a civic initiative, want to bring about a change in the location of the monument
photo by Wiktor Bochenek
in search of a place for the monument
The location of the monument commemorating the Lviv Eaglets was chosen in 2022. This place was proposed by Mayor Jacek Majchrowski, and the decision was approved by city councilors by a ratio of 25 votes in favor to 16 votes against.
The design of the monument was chosen in a competition organized by the Cracow City Hall and the Board of Urban Greenery. We presented the results of the competition on the architekturaibiznes.pl portal.
Thechoice of the site is controversial. First of all, because of the organization of this space around the works of the Nobel Prize winner, which we encounter throughout the space. References to Wislawa Szymborska's poetry are all over the place. The sculpture does not fit in with its surroundings, additionally suggesting new contexts in the space. Residents of Krakow, along with the initiator of the park Natalia Nazim, announced the collection of signatures for a draft resolution to move the monument to a place other than the park named after Wislawa Szymborska.
I believe that the initiators of the monument's construction should indicate potential locations, which should be subject to public consultation. Meanwhile, what we have here is a situation where the residents in public consultations were clearly against erecting sculptures or monuments in the park, and yet such a location was proposed by the mayor and then voted on by the City Council. In my opinion, however, both the mayor and councilors in matters concerning the location of monuments should hold public consultations beforehand. This would avoid many unnecessary conflicts and protests," replies Natalia Nazim.
Monument as an attractor
The architectural and sculptural form proposed by Michal Dabek, Waclaw Gawlik and Jan Kuka, which won the competition, may be debatable, but it certainly presents a much higher level than the often blunt, brutal-realistic sculptural representations created by sculptors associated with radical conservatism. The scattered school folders and minimalist inscription is balanced and calm, drawing attention to the tragedy of the Lvov Eaglets. The problem still remains the location. Placing the monument in the park of the Nobel Prize winner will break up the context built by the designers.
Szymborska's park with its layout is a way of commemorating the Nobel Prize winner, introducing new contexts to it is unnecessary
photo by Wiktor Bochenek
The adopted form of the monument, instead of "sticking a stick into an anthill," could become an attractor in another space of Krakow. It could calmly find its place in parts of the city that need change more than the center. Placing the monument somewhere in Górka Narodowa or Ruczaj, together with transformative activities, would become an attractor for creating friendly space where it is lacking, not where the space is already filled with contexts. Such a monument could be a reason to create a square or more open public space.
There is no argument today for overlaying meanings in the park on Karmelicka Street, if the monument to the Lvov Eaglets could contribute to the creation of a new space, it is worth trying to find a new place for it.
The awarded work by Michal Dabek, Waclaw Gawlik and Jan Kuka -.
all works can be viewed in the competitions tab of our portal
© Board of Urban Greenery in Krakow
