Let us recall: a plaque commemorating the victims of the Smolensk disaster will be installed on the defensive walls by Kubika Street in Bolesławiec. It turned out, however, that some members of Bolesławiec’s right wing do not like this location. A letter on the matter was sent to Mayor Piotr Roman by: Law and Justice councillor Jan Russ, Ryszard Łoś of the “Gazeta Polska” Club, and Rev. Edward Bober, an honorary citizen of Bolesławiec.
“It is good that there is an intention to commemorate people of the highest calibre who died in Smolensk,” Jan Russ told “ii.” “But on a wall it is like on a fence. There is no proper access to this place; where would the colour guards stand, and where would wreaths be laid? And Bolesław Kubik was a captain in the Security Office.”
According to the PiS activist, the ideal location would be the square by Bankowa Street, beside the municipal pond. “There would be room there for colour guards and for laying wreaths,” he added.
“First let us build the plaque, and then change the street,” says Eugeniusz Jabłoński, a councillor on the Bolesławiec City Council Eugeniusz Jabłoński, the originator, initiator and author of the plaque commemorating the victims of the Smolensk disaster. “But I absolutely do not agree to changing its location.”
Jesteście za tym, żeby zmienić nazwę ulicy Kubika?
It is already known that the plaque will cost PLN 27,000, rather than PLN 30,000–40,000, as we reported earlier. It is also known that it will not be unveiled on the sixth anniversary of the Smolensk disaster. “When we collect the required amount, we will place the order,” explains E. Jabłoński. So far, 97 donors have paid PLN 8,000 for this purpose. “We certainly will not make it by April 10. It will be delayed by three or four months, but we will definitely put up the plaque,” the councillor stresses.
We asked whether other streets would follow in Kubika Street’s footsteps, for example Kutuzowa Street. (Some time ago, city councillor Eugeniusz Kowalski, now deputy head of the City Council, called for the latter’s name to be changed, arguing that the Russian commander Mikhail Kutuzov was a Polonophobe.) Eugeniusz Jabłoński: “At present, there are no preparations to change street names in Bolesławiec. For me, this plaque is the most important thing.”
He adds: “PiS and ‘Gazeta Polska,’ which protested against us so strongly, had six years to put up such a plaque. Or an even better one, in a different location.”
What do you think about this? We invite you to join the discussion and take part in our poll. Or perhaps you have an idea what the current Kubika Street should be called? Please enter your suggestions in the comments.