What will replace the Red Army monument in Rzeszów?

26 February 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Rzeszów plans to move the Red Army monument and let residents decide what will stand on Plac Ofiar Getta, while the Institute of National Remembrance demands full removal and a new memorial to victims of totalitarianisms.

Rzeszów authorities want to relocate a Red Army monument currently standing on Plac Ofiar Getta and are proposing that local residents decide what should replace it. The proposal has prompted a clash with the Instytut Pamięci Narodowej (Institute of National Remembrance), which insists on complete removal and construction of a new memorial dedicated to victims of totalitarian regimes.

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What the city is proposing

City officials in Rzeszów say the monument — a remnant of the post‑war communist landscape — should be moved from the city centre to allow the square to better reflect its name and current civic use. The administration is proposing a participatory approach: rather than unilaterally deciding the monument’s fate, the municipality plans a public consultation or vote where residents can choose what should occupy Plac Ofiar Getta (Ghetto Victims Square).

IPN’s position and the wider legal-cultural context

The Instytut Pamięci Narodowej (IPN), a state institution that researches and promotes memory of 20th‑century crimes and dictatorships, is pushing for complete dismantling of the Soviet‑era monument and for the creation of a memorial explicitly commemorating victims of totalitarianisms. Debates like this are common across Poland and other Central and Eastern European countries: many Soviet monuments were erected after World War II and today create tensions between historical memory, local identity and international politics.

Practical implications and the dispute’s significance

For residents and visitors, the conflict is not only symbolic. Decisions about the square will shape urban planning, tourism and how the city’s wartime history is presented in the public space. Depending on the outcome, changes could include new landscaping, a dedicated memorial, or relocation of the statue to a museum or less prominent site — each option carries financial, legal and diplomatic consequences. The dispute also illustrates how local governments and national institutions like the IPN sometimes clash over who controls public memory.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: In Poland debates over monuments often involve national bodies such as the Instytut Pamięci Narodowej, which researches 20th‑century history and can influence how public memory is managed. Plac Ofiar Getta literally means “Ghetto Victims Square,” making the site particularly sensitive because it evokes Holocaust memory. Municipal public consultations (often organised by the city hall, Urząd Miasta) are a common way Polish local governments seek residents’ input; results can shape planning decisions but do not always override national agencies. If you are an expat interested in participating, check the Rzeszów city website or contact the Urząd Miasta Rzeszów for announcements, dates and how to register for consultations.

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