Plans for a ‘Monument of Light’ to commemorate the 96 Smolensk victims near the Presidential Palace in Warsaw have been unveiled by architect Pawel Szychalski.

The project was presented to representatives of the families of the victims, including Marta Kaczynska, daughter of the late President Lech Kaczynski who died in the crash.

Marta Kaczynska said that the symbolism of Monument of Light refers to the thousands of candles lit immediately after the catastrophe outside the Presidential Palace and at the same time rises to the expectations of the city’s historical conservator, who bans any architectural changes in that part of Warsaw.

“The Monument of Light answers the demands of the conservator, who does not allow for any construction in this place. At the same time I think that all the victims should be commemorated and this is a project that serves that idea,” she said.

The project envisages 96 light posts symbolising the 96 victims of the crash with rays of light reaching up to four meters.

The supporters of the Monument of Light plan to collect 100 thousand signatures and forward the petition to parliament.

Plans whether to build another monument in Warsaw to the Smolensk victims, and where it should be situated, have divided Poles, with leader of the Law and Justice party Jaroislaw Kaczynski – twin brother of Lech Kaczynski – campaigning for a monument to be sited outside the Presidential Palace.

The government, and current president Bronislaw Komorowski, are against the idea, arguing that there are many more appropriate places for a monument to be placed. (ab/pg)