This document, together with, among other things, a copy of the municipal magazine “Legnica.eu,” was placed in a special tube in the monument’s foundation. The ceremony took place at Siberians’ Square in Legnica, at the junction of Kazimierza Wielkiego, Wrocławska and Czarnieckiego streets. Siberians, city officials and residents attended.
– We are very happy because our monument will soon stand here – the chairwoman said. – We have waited a very long time for this moment.
– I am very pleased that we can participate together in the creation of the monument – Mayor Tadeusz Krzakowski said. – We commemorate the victims of the “inhuman land.”
The monument, designed by Legnica artist Grzegorz Niemyjski, is being produced by Piramida in Kostrza near Strzegom. An inscription will be placed on one of the monument’s blocks: “In memory of the Polish Siberian exiles of 1940–1956, in tribute to their martyrdom and their fidelity to the ideals of freedom and independence – the people of Legnica.”
Work on the construction of Siberians’ Square is still under way. Legnica will soon gain a new, representative place of national remembrance. It will also be another element in the systematic revitalization of this part of the city.
The cost of the project, “Reconstruction of Wrocławska Street – construction of Siberians’ Square and the Monument to Siberian Exiles,” exceeds PLN 2 million. The Polska Miedź Foundation awarded a donation of PLN 250,000 to co-finance construction of the monument.
Here is the text of the document, already embedded and handed down to future generations, signed by: Alfreda Dąbrowska – chairwoman of the Legnica branch of the Association of Siberians, Marek Bestrzyński – president of the board of the KGHM Polska Miedź Foundation, Wacław Szetelnicki – chairman of the Municipal Council, and Tadeusz Krzakowski – Mayor of Legnica:
Foundation Document for the Monument to Siberian Exiles in Legnica
In connection with the approaching 75th anniversary of the beginning of mass deportations deep into Soviet Russia, to commemorate the thousands of Poles persecuted and tortured to death, and to pay tribute to their suffering and fidelity to fundamental human values, we express our intention to erect in our city a MONUMENT TO SIBERIAN EXILES.
The monument will be erected on the initiative of members of the Legnica branch of the Association of Siberians, supported by Mayor Tadeusz Krzakowski.
On 28 July 2014, the Legnica Municipal Council adopted Resolution No. XLVIII/491/14 concerning the erection of the Monument to Siberian Exiles.
The well-known Legnica artist Grzegorz Niemyjski was asked to prepare and execute the design.
The project is financed by the City of Legnica and the KGHM Polska Miedź Foundation, as well as through public contributions.
We leave this document to future generations.
UM Legnica/ii