Initiative wants to relocate the Red Army monument from the center of Pardubice, the city will consider a referendum

Pardubice - The leadership of Pardubice received an open letter signed by individuals demanding the relocation of the statue of a Red Army soldier from the center to another location. The initiative was signed by about a hundred people. They believe the 1950s liberation monument has questionable value, is unsuitable for the historical part of the city, and obstructs the view of the Renaissance castle. Mayor Jan Nadrchal (ANO) told reporters today that the issue of what to do with the monument could be resolved by a referendum.

"I take a neutral stance on this. The statue does not bother me. If it is not there, that won't bother me either. The issue of its relocation comes to the table with iron regularity. Especially before elections. If we deal with it, I admit the possibility that a referendum should decide on it," said Nadrchal.

The initiative points out that the statue stands in one of the most beautiful locations in the city. There is the late Gothic Church of St. Bartholomew, the Green Gate, and the East Bohemian Theatre. According to them, the monument's considerable dimensions hold questionable value and represent a controversial historical interpretation. Moreover, it blocks the view of the castle. The letter was signed by architects, doctors, lawyers, historians, veterans, and some politicians, said opposition councilor Ondřej Müller (TOP 09).

"I am indeed a co-author and signatory of the letter signed by 100 personalities, but I am not a spokesperson for this initiative. Especially to avoid giving the city leadership a pretext to claim that I am just building a campaign on this," Müller stated. His opinion remains constant; he has long been fighting for the relocation of the Red Army soldier, he added.

Deputy Mayor Jan Hrabal (ANO) indicated that the city is ready to propose a referendum if any of the councilors requests it. It is possible that it could take place as early as this autumn during the elections to the Chamber of Deputies. It can be done, Nadrchal added.

Some people are irritated by the Memorial of Liberation with the Red Army soldier and pioneers, while others remain calm. "A referendum could be a kind of final remark on this issue. We do not consider it the most important topic," said opposition councilor Jan Mazuch (ODS). He believes that the statue should remain in place. In this way, Czech history can also be demonstrated, he added.

The ensemble from 1957 depicts a Red Army soldier with a weapon in hand. Below him stands a girl with outstretched arms holding a wreath. On the sides are pioneers standing guard. "The ensemble had an indisputable task at the time of its creation to draw all attention to itself and, along with the adjacent greenery, prevent the view of the castle. Originally, Stalin, one of the greatest mass murderers of the 20th century, was to stand alone on the pedestal. Replacing the dictator with the figure of a Red Army soldier was merely an improvisation by the implementers of the ensemble," the signatories pointed out in the letter.

The memorial site with the remains of fallen soldiers is located in the central Pardubice cemetery. "Relocating the statue of the Red Army soldier to a real memorial site, such as the Pardubice cemetery, is in our opinion a realistic and conflict-free solution. Citizens regularly commemorating the victims of World War II at this monument will surely find their way there as well," believe the authors of the letter.