A design competition for a memorial to Polish victims of German WWII crimes in Berlin has begun, with submissions due May 6th.
Competition for Memorial Design Commences
The Federal Building and Spatial Planning Authority has launched a competition to select a design for a memorial dedicated to Polish victims of Nazism and German occupation during WWII.
The submission deadline for project proposals is May 6th. Professional artists, art groups, and architects with full qualifications are eligible to participate.
Competition Details and Timeline
This is a single-stage, closed competition preceded by an open call for participants. Submissions are due by 2:00 PM on May 6th.
A qualifying committee will convene on July 1st, and competition entries must be submitted by October 8th. A jury of Polish and German experts will meet in December. An exhibition showcasing the entries is planned for February 2027.
Budget and Coordination
The Federal Building and Spatial Planning Authority has allocated a maximum budget of 5 million euros for the memorial’s construction, including preparatory and associated costs.
The Authority is the commissioning, coordinating, and implementing body, while the Foundation for the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe is responsible for the project.
Location and Parliamentary Approval
The German parliament designated the site of the former Kroll Opera House as the location for the permanent memorial in December, with most AfD lawmakers abstaining. A temporary memorial, a Memory Stone, was unveiled there in June 2025 as a citizen-led initiative.
Adolf Hitler announced the attack on Poland from the Kroll Opera House on September 1, 1939. The Memory Stone is located 300 meters from the Reichstag building.
Polish Perspective and Significance
Poland has repeatedly emphasized the importance of a permanent memorial for improving bilateral relations. Establishing a permanent place of remembrance for Polish victims in central Berlin has been a long-standing goal.
The construction of the memorial is expected to begin after the Bundestag approves the selected design in 2027.