The Volhynia Massacre monument was created in 2018 by the famous Andrzej Pityński at the request of the Polish organization Polish Army Veterans Association of America. Almost immediately, the search for a location where it could be placed began. At first, it was supposed to be Rzeszów, but the city authorities did not agree. It was similar in the case of Jelenia Góra, Stalowa Wola and Kielce, among others.
Domowawa. The Volyn Monument is waiting to be unveiled. What does it look like?
Finally, after less than 6 years of searching, a small commune on the border of Lublin and Podkarpacie decided to adopt the , which had already been placed in the small town of Domostawa some time ago. Although the official unveiling will not take place until July 14, 2024, on the 81st anniversary of the culmination of mass crimes against Poles in Volhynia, people from all over Poland are already coming to see this 14-meter bronze cast live.
The monument was transported to its destination in parts and only then assembled into a coherent whole. It consists of an image of an Eagle in a crown, in reference to the emblem of our country, and on its wings are engraved the names of towns where the Polish population was murdered by UPA units. Inside there is a large cross, in the middle of which is a tryzub with a child impaled on it. Below is the figure of a woman holding a baby and a man holding a cross in his hands. The whole is completed by heads impaled on pickets, which were placed at the base of the sculpture.
the ‘Volhynian Massacre’ monument by Andrzej Pityński in Domostawa ‘The Volhynian Massacre’ monument by Andrzej Pityński in Domostawa, Photo. Patryk Ogorzałek / Agencja Wyborcza.pl
The Volhynian Massacre Monument in Domostawa is controversial. One element in particular catches the eye
There is no denying that Pityński’s work is already causing a lot of extreme emotions, and opinions on the scenes depicted in it are strongly divided. Many people claim that it is too drastic, especially since children are also watching it. Objections are also expressed by . – I heard from priests that it is a bit of a profanation, because these pitchforks are inscribed in the cross – said one of the members of the construction team responsible for erecting the sculpture. Tourists are also of a similar opinion. – It is quite shocking and controversial, but at the same time very interesting – assessed one of the women who found herself in Domostawa while passing through. – This child on these pitchforks could have been omitted – added a resident of the town.
On the other side of the barricade there are those who really like it. Although they emphasize that the symbolism may indeed seem “too strong”, on the other hand it illustrates what really happened and is a clear proof of the scale of this tragedy. “It happened, so I don’t see a problem with the symbolism,” said a man from Łódź who stopped to take a photo of the monument. The sculptor’s vision is also defended by the mayor of the Jarocin commune, Tomasz Podpora. “Master Andrzej Pityński made such a design and wanted it to be presented in all its glory,” he concluded. If you’d like, please vote in our poll below.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
