Controversial case – Can the Jesus statue from Swiebodzin shape perceptions about Poland?

Article by Marta Jankowska
Best Place – European Place Marketing Institute

Great Britain has its own queen, whereas Spain has the king. Recently Poland has its own king – Christ the King, who has an impact on the image of its country, just like every monarch, regardless of whether it is wanted or not.

Swiebodzin is a small town that numbers 22 thousand residents and is situated in the southern-west of Poland. Although the etymology of its name suggests wealth, it features a variety of historic monuments and tourist attractions. Swiebodzin however decided to take its fate to its own hands.

When on the 6th of November 2010 building of Christ the King was completed, everything changed in the small town of Swiebodzin Not only did the local and national media started talking about the Polish town, but also world mass media reported on the largest figure of Jesus in the world. However, not only did its size arouse media interest, but also the fact that the brand-new monument was similar in design to the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro which was recognized in 2007 as one of the seven wonders of the word.

Disparate rivalry

There are many differences between both monuments, and it is not only technical parameters of these figures (Table 1). The statue of Christ the Redeemer was constructed in the 1930s and the idea of its creation was to commemorate the 100 year centenary of independent Brazil. Famous sculptor Paul Landowski was responsible for the project and its realization, which was possible thanks to money from the Brazilian government.

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