PiS: In Szczecin's culture, there is a bulldog fight under the carpet

"This is a political tussle between Piotr Krzystek and the Civic Coalition," is how Law and Justice councilors commented on the dismissal of Cezary Cichy, head of the culture department at Szczecin City Hall. They are demanding that a culture commission be convened to address the matter.

According to right-wing representatives, Szczecin residents have the right to know the full truth about why Cezary Cichy was dismissed from his position. They believe the information released to the public is insufficient.

"I have the impression that politics played a significant role here," said Krzysztof Romianowski, chairman of the PiS club on the City Council, at a press conference in front of the city hall. "I have the impression that this is a battle between Piotr Krzystek and the Civic Coalition. Piotr Krzystek has shown that he is in charge. Just as we see at City Council meetings, the Civic Coalition has seized complete power, so at City Hall, Mayor Piotr Krzystek has made it clear that the director supported by Marcin Biskupski, the ministerial vice-president for culture, is ready to be fired. Perhaps precisely because he is nominated by Marcin Biskupski."

Maciej Kopeć stated that, above all, a committee on culture should be convened. There, councilors could hear both the mayor's position and the arguments of the artists who supported Cezary Cichy.

"We expect Marcin Biskupski to speak out on this matter," said Maciej Kopeć. "For us, it's a war of bulldogs under the carpet, a fight for positions, for positions, and perhaps for competitions and subsidies. This is a political tussle between the Civic Platform and the president. This is not the way to manage Szczecin's culture."

According to the Law and Justice party (PiS), this political game is taking place at a time when cultural officials face numerous challenges. The right wing believes a new strategy for this area of the city's operations is necessary. The construction of the new headquarters for the Contemporary Theatre must also be monitored and a temporary location for the institution found. Furthermore, Marek Chabior criticized the delayed construction of the media library at the intersection of Iwaszkiewicza and Dąbrowska Streets. He believes it should be built at the Reagan Roundabout.

Cezary Cichy lost his position last week. This was followed by an appeal in his defense, initiated by figures in culture and science, addressed to President Piotr Krzystek. Nearly 250 people signed the petition.

Łukasz Kolasa, the mayor's spokesman, wrote in a press release that the reasons for Cezary Cichy's dismissal were explained in detail to the former director in writing. City Hall does not publicly address such matters.

The communication also stated: "What I can confirm is that the entire matter is related to the audit conducted by the Supreme Audit Office in cultural institutions, which you reported on extensively at the beginning of the year. In light of all the circumstances and findings made by the Mayor of Szczecin and the bodies involved in the entire matter, including the prosecutor's office, Piotr Krzystek has lost confidence in the director of the Culture Department, which is a necessary condition for holding the position of a senior official at the Szczecin City Hall." ©℗

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