Memorial of Free Speech

The Memorial of Free Speech in Warsaw is a monument commemorating the underground publishing movement in Poland during the communist era, located at Free Speech Square on Mysia Street. Initiated by Bronisław Komorowski, the memorial was unveiled on June 5, 2014. Its design resembles a long black line, symbolizing censorship, which physically crosses the square. Made of black concrete, the line appears to "peel away" from the ground, representing the struggle against censorship and the liberation of speech. Nearby, a bilingual description of the monument and a quote from Tacitus concerning freedom of thought and expression can be found. The memorial highlights the impressive history of the Polish underground publishing movement, which, between 1977 and 1989, produced thousands of newspapers and books despite communist repression. This activity was widespread, with one in four Poles having contact with publications from the "second circulation." The monument honors the brave individuals who risked their lives for freedom of speech and contributed to the fall of communism in Poland. It is also worth noting that future plans include multimedia information and applications around the monument to educate visitors about its history. The project was the result of the work of the Construction Committee, which organized a public fundraiser, involved numerous institutions, and held a competition for its design. The memorial not only commemorates the past but also encourages reflection on freedom of speech in the present day.