Freud's statue does not exist yet, there is not enough money for it

Prague - A statue of the founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud, does not yet exist, although it was supposed to be unveiled this summer in the so-called goat square in the center of Prague. According to sculptor Michal Gabriel, who designed the monument, there is not enough money for it. The company Communications Works, which has a contract for it and organized events celebrating the 150th anniversary of Freud's birth last year with a contribution from the city council, is distancing itself from the statue.
    The company received 2.3 million crowns from the city for events, while the monument is expected to cost around one million. "I don’t know how much money they were operating with, but I have a signed contract with them, which they did not fulfill," Gabriel told ČTK. He claims he is missing 400,000 crowns. "If I start pouring money into this now, I'll have to fund it myself. However, I am willing to complete the statue even without funding," the sculptor noted. However, he is unable to secure the base and placement of the sculpture. According to him, the company was also supposed to provide the building permit, but it allegedly does not communicate with Gabriel.
    According to Petra Kočandrlová, the managing director of Communications Works, the company is currently not involved in the matter of the statue. "In this matter, you need to turn to Prague 1," she told ČTK. According to Kočandrlová, the city has never financed the statue. "The city's funds were allocated for other activities related to the anniversary of Sigmund Freud, such as exhibitions, lectures, and so on," she emphasized. The city council's contribution was already settled last September.
    Representatives of the city council confirm that the city funding for the celebrations was not intended for the statue itself. The use of the funds was previously checked. "We had it verified; everything was in order," said Jan Kněžínek, director of the cultural and heritage department, to ČTK.
    It is uncertain whether the statue will be placed in the goat square or not. The city’s heritage conservationists stated in a statement that it could stand there, but on a lower pedestal than planned. Gabriel noted that if the statue does not end up in Prague, he might manage to sell it elsewhere. "Some foreign investors showed interest in the statue some time ago," he remarked.
    A petition against placing Freud's statue in the square was created, which was signed by about 160 people. The signature campaign was organized by activist and goat farmer Stanislav Penc, who protested in the square with animals. The Prague 1 council then held a local voting event in which only a fraction of residents participated. However, the majority expressed their opposition.
    The city council is also not particularly inclined to the idea of erecting Freud's statue in the goat square. Its position is hinted at by an earlier statement from the city planning commission, which disagreed with the construction of the pedestal. So far, no request for a building permit has reached the city council's building department.
    Gabriel's statue proposal depicts a scientist sitting at a table, with another table and a seated figure on it. Critics consider the sculpture good, but argue it should be placed elsewhere.