PiS councilors in Sopot propose scrapping a bronze statue of architect Paul Puchmüller—once approved for the city hall—but now argue its placement fuels a German‑ization narrative.
Monument to Puchmüller Set for City Hall
The statue of Paul Puchmüller, an architect and builder who designed several Sopot buildings, was approved by the city council in 2021 for placement in front of the city hall where he had previously worked and designed. A 2022 competition produced a finished bronze sculpture costing 350 000 PLN.
PiS Councillors Reverse Position
After the competition, PiS councilors filed a motion claiming the monument’s placement was inappropriate. Jakub Świderski, a PiS member who had not voted in 2021, criticized the idea and urged that the statue not be erected.
On 29 November, a protest is planned outside the city hall with appeals from PiS politicians: “We do not want a German’s monument before the city office … Come to protest.”
Proposed Scrapping and Germanization Charges
The draft motion notes that Puchmüller was not a neutral artist but an official of the Prussian administration, involved in Germanization of Polish areas under Kaiser Wilhelm II. Councilors argue the buildings he designed served as tools of Germanization during the Kulturkampf.
The motion also suggests that if the statue is not displayed, it could be sold to a private German collector or foreign institution; if it remains unsold, PiS proposes scrapping it to partially recover the 350 000 PLN expended. Current bronze prices are 28–34 PLN per kilogram, offering limited reimbursement.
City Officials Respond to PiS Proposal
Mayor Magdalena Czarzyńska‑Jachim criticised the anti‑German “narrative” as reflecting former President Jarosław Kaczyński’s stance that enemies lie on a united Europe rather than Russia. She reminded that the city council, including PiS members, had unanimously approved the monument’s construction.
Other councilors, such as Adam Gil from the “Coalition for Sopot,” highlighted that the 2021 vote was a broadly supported, non‑political decision based on a comprehensive assessment of Puchmüller’s legacy. The vote on the new legislation is scheduled for 27 November.
