The Memorial to the Victims of December 1970 (Polish: Pomnik Ofiar Grudnia 1970), also colloquially known as the Angel of Freedom (Polish: Anioł Wolności), is a monument in Szczecin, Poland, placed at the Solidarity Square, within the Old Town neighbourhood. The monument is dedicated to the victims of the suppression of December 1970 protests in Szczecin.
Localisation
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Made from bronze, it has a form of a statue of an angel, holding a crown of thorns forming a text which reads "Grudzień 1970" and translates from Polish to December 1970, and standing on a boat emerging from the ground. It was designed by Czesław Dźwigaj, and unveiled on 28 August 2005.
History
The monument, dedicated to the victims of the suppression of December 1970 protests in Poland, was proposed by the Szczecin City Council and the Association of December '70 and January '71. It was financed by the city, the social fund, and with donations from the Polish diaspora in the United States. Its cornerstone was laid on 17 December 2003. The sculpture was designed by Czesław Dźwigaj, and unveiled on 28 August 2005, as part of the celebrations of the anniversary of the signing of the August Agreements.
Overview
The monument has form of a bronze statue, with the height of 11 m, depicting an angel with its wings risen horizontally, holding a crown of thorns forming a text which reads "Grudzień 1970", translating from Polish to December 1970. They stands on a boat emerging from the ground, surrounded by four granite plaques, bearing the names of the victims, as well as the description of the events. The statue is surrounded by four stone slabs, imbedded vertically into the pavement, each with a commemorative plaque. The first to the left in front of the monument says:
The second plaque, placed to the right in the front, says:
The third plaque, placed to the left in the back, features the coat of arms of Szczecin, and an inscription which says:
And the final plaque, placed to the right in the back, says: