Lenin sign reinstated at Gdansk shipyard

Photo: PAP/ Adam Warzawa

MPs from the conservative Law and Justice party, together with the Solidarity trade union's shipyard committee, had opposed the return of the Lenin dedication, claiming that it was illegal under laws banning the promotion of communist ideology.

However, prosecutors declined to take up the case against city mayor Pawel Adamowicz, stressing that the sign needed to be restored for heritage and educational purposes.

Mayor Adamowicz backed the policy of restoring the Cold War era appearance of the gates so that the area could be inscribed as a protected heritage site.

Both municipal and regional conservators were in favour of restoring the gates to their original form.

Adamowicz noted on his personal blog that the return of Lenin's name likewise spoke volumes about the irony of history, as it demonstrated “how the fall of an ideology created by Vladmir Lenin began at a factory that was named in his honour.”

As Adamowicz argued, it was Gdansk shipyard workers who “overthrew communism”, as initiated with the historic strike led by Lech Walesa in August 1980.

The original No. 2 gate was destroyed by a tank in December 1981, and the full reconstruction has cost 68,000 zloty (15,800 euro).

Oscar-winning director Andrzej Wajda, who is currently shooting a biopic of Lech Walesa, will film at the site later this month. (nh)