Monument to the September Scouts in Katowice

The September Scouts Monument, unveiled on September 4, 1983 in Katowice, commemorates the martyrdom of scouts who resisted German soldiers in September 1939. The monument was created by sculptor Zygmunt Brachmański and architect Michał Kuczmiński. Located in the Defenders of Katowice Square along Korfanty Avenue, the monument features four figures of scouts in uniform, symbolizing their heroism. The bronze statue bears the motto: "All that is ours, we shall give to Poland." The monument not only recalls the events of September 1939 but also the subsequent tragic fate of the scouts during the occupation, pointing to various sites of execution and struggle during World War II. The history of the monument's construction is complex; the idea for its realization emerged as early as the 1950s, but the Stalinist authorities avoided commemorating the scouts, seeking to minimize their role in the resistance movement. It was only in the 1970s, after numerous attempts, that the monument was finally erected, thanks to the involvement of local communities and associations. Prominent government representatives and scouts attended the unveiling ceremony. In 2015, the monument was relocated during the reconstruction of the market square. In popular culture, it appeared in Kazimierz Kutz's 1994 film "Zawrócony" (Turned Back), highlighting its significance as a symbol of remembrance for the heroism of young people. The September Scouts Monument remains an important part of Katowice's cultural heritage, reminding us of values such as sacrifice and patriotism in difficult times.