Open letter regarding the return of the Sedina monument to Szczecin

We are deeply concerned that the statue of Sedina is to return to our city. As we know, the statue of Sedina with a fountain, by Professor Ludwig Manzel, was unveiled on September 23, 1898, on Tobruk Square in the presence of German Emperor Wilhelm II, in conjunction with the ceremony opening the Eastern Basin in the port on Łasztownia. For several decades, it was a symbol of the city until it mysteriously disappeared.

It is not possible to precisely determine the origin of the name "Sedina." According to renowned historian Professor Tadeusz Białecki, creator of the Encyclopedia of Szczecin, the name "Sedina" was invented by German students in the 19th century (a period of rising Pan-Germanism in Germany) who were influenced by the works of Claudius Ptolemy, who is now known for many incorrect hypotheses. The aim of these actions was to emphasize the German character of our city, as also stated by the prominent Szczecin historian Prof. Władysław Filipowiak.

Today we know for sure that there is no goddess with such a name in Germanic or any other mythology. It is likely that the term refers to "Sedna," an Eskimo deity, also known as "Sidne," and identified as, among others, "the lady of the underworld, the land of the dead," "the ruler of dangerous natural forces, the sea, and marine creatures," and "the mistress of the weather and seals." "Sedna" embodies what the Eskimo peoples struggle with every day in their lives, namely the vast water.

We would like to draw attention to the fact that, in light of the above arguments, a monument should not be rebuilt in our city that will once again remind tourists of the times when Germans ruled in Szczecin. Let us give our city more accents related to the Slavic heritage of Szczecin.

In 2001, due to a lack of funds, archaeological work was halted in the Szczecin Old Town, which is crucial for understanding the early medieval history of Szczecin and could reveal the city's oldest history. Over 15 years of excavations in this area, numerous valuable artifacts were discovered, including what is believed to be a kącina - a Slavic place of worship.

Is there really no more important projects in Szczecin that could be a more magnificent showcase of our Polish Szczecin? We appeal for reason in actions for our common city.

Association for Tradition and Culture "Niklot"
Szczecin