Gietrzwałd, where the Lidl distribution center is to be built, is a small town near Olsztyn. It is famous for the fact that a series of Marian apparitions took place here in 1877. The Virgin Mary allegedly spoke to two girls in Polish. To the children’s question: Who are you? She replied: I am the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate Conception.
See also: They showed how a “deluxe customer” behaves in Lidl. The recording was a hit on the Internet
The Confederation does not want Lidl’s investment in Gietrzwałd
– he said. He also added that “with all due respect, comparing the apparitions in Gietrzwałd and those previously mentioned in Fatima or Lourdes, it seems that those in Gietrzwałd were more powerful and simply lasted longer and more often.”
The MP appealed to the authorities of Gietrzwałd, as well as “to the heads of this large corporation, which includes Lidl and Kaufland, not to enter Gietrzwałd in order to preserve the character of the beautiful Marian sanctuary, the spiritual capital of Polandi”.
Confederation about Lidl’s investment in Gietrzwałd. “Santa Claus wouldn’t buy from Lidl. Never”
Wojciech Siński from the Confederation’s political committee is afraid that Lidl’s investment in Gietrzwałd will result in “this town will lose its character.” He recalled her history and ended his speech by saying: The Advent season is approaching, and then Christmas. One thing is certain – Santa Claus wouldn’t buy from Lidl. Never.
— she talked about the Czech Republic’s numbers and asked: where are the ecologists?
In addition, another Confederation MP, Romant Fritz, made an appeal in German, clearly emphasizing that: This is Poland, not Germany!
Picket in front of Lidl’s headquarters and supermarkets
The Confederation said that in the matter of stopping Lidl’s investment, it is in constant contact with the residents, but also with pilgrims to Gietrzwałd, and also “provides legal assistance and legal consultations in order to use applicable provisions that would allow blocking this absolutely unacceptable investment site.
Politicians announced a picket on Friday, November 15. It will start at 12 near the Lidl headquarters in Tarnów Podgórne. The MPs expressed hope that they would be accepted by the management board and would be able to explain “the important aspects of this investment, which can be built anywhere, but not in Gietrzwałd.”
The Confederation also encourages Poles to take part in protests in front of Lidl supermarkets.
Will a Lidl distribution center be built in Gietrzwałd?
The issue of building a new Lidl investment has been arousing heated discussions for years. In May 2023, “Fakt” wrote about a large protest during – the crowd sang religious songs. “Let’s protect Our Mother’s Throne from being desecrated by the Lidl garbage dump,” the protesters appealed then.
When asked by our journalists at that time, the retail chain said that waste would not be processed or burned in the center, but would be transported to recycling points. This includes batteries and waste electrical equipment. Ultimately, the warehouse will also operate in a deposit system.
In turn, in October 2024, olsztyn.com.pl wrote that “The Local Government Appeals Board upheld the decision of the mayor of Gietrzwałd, Jan Kasprowicz, to build the Lidl Distribution Center. Protests against the investment were organized by the Committee for the Defense of Gietrzwałd, which accused the decision-makers of, among others, environmental destruction.”
Welcome, dear readers, to the Most Wondrous Column of Observations!
Today, we dive into the curious tale of Gietrzwałd – yes, this isn’t just a tongue twister to spice up family dinners; it’s a small Polish town near Olsztyn, rich in history and, dare I say, controversy with a Lidl twist! Hold on to your hats, folks, because this one’s got it all: apparitions, political turmoil, and Christmas!
Marian Apparitions & the Lidl Distribution Center
Now, Gietrzwałd isn’t exactly the place you’d expect to set up a new distribution center. You see, it’s known for its Marian apparitions, where the Virgin Mary had a heart-to-heart with two young girls back in 1877. Imagine that? Two kids asking a celestial figure, “Who are you?” and getting a response that would make even the most ardent religious followers nod in reverent awe. “I am the Blessed Virgin Mary Immaculate Conception.” It’s like she stepped down from the heavens and said, "Hey kids, let’s skip the small talk and discuss my immaculate credentials."
But now, instead of a heavenly sanctuary, Lidl plans to move in! Not exactly the divine development most residents envisioned, right? This isn’t Fatima, it’s Gietrzwałd! And it seems our local MP, Wojciech Siński, has thrown out an ultimatum that would make anyone’s shopping preferences feel a bit peculiar – "Santa Claus wouldn’t buy from Lidl. Never." That’s right; not even Holiday Cheer can disguise the fear of losing their town’s character.
The Battle of Characters: Gietrzwałd vs. Lidl
Love it or hate it, the Confederation party is doing backflips over this issue, claiming that the construction of the Lidl distribution center will obliterate Gietrzwałd’s charm like a caffeinated shopper on Black Friday. There are pickets scheduled; I mean, if there’s anything that can unite people better than free samples, it’s a good ol’ protest outside a supermarket!
And let’s not forget our outspoken MP Romant Fritz, who declared emphatically: “This is Poland, not Germany!” A statement that makes me wonder what this investment proposal looked like – possibly with a little German efficiency and a lot of Polish spirit! Not exactly a recipe for harmony, is it?
A Divine Picket Line
“Let’s protect Our Mother’s Throne from being desecrated by the Lidl garbage dump!” they sung, poignantly. Now, there are two kinds of protests – the ones where you hold picket signs and chant boisterously, and the ones that involve cake and existential debates. I think we know which side Gietrzwałd falls on! The townsfolk don’t just want a shiny new supermarket; they’d rather keep the sanctity of their Marian heritage intact. Because you know how it goes – one moment you’re praying, and the next, there’s a 24/7 distribution hub churning out discounts louder than your own religious intentions!
The Eternal Tug-O-War: Investment vs. Spiritual Capital
The mayor’s backing of this distribution center has people crying foul, citing environmental destruction amid fears their famous sanctuary could find itself surrounded by shopping carts and meal deals! Nothing says “I’ve lost my spiritual way” quite like reaching for a discount loaf of bread where the Virgin Mary once graced.
But wait, it gets even juicier! Lidl assures us that they won’t burn waste; oh no – it will all be transported to recycling points. Perfect! Nothing like the comforting thought of your meal’s packaging getting a second life, right? Because we all know recycling sounds fantastic, especially when our souls are at stake!
Conclusion: The Unfolding Drama in Gietrzwałd
As we teeter on the edge of what could be the ultimate showdown between commercial enterprise and spiritual heritage, the folks of Gietrzwałd remain vocal, passionate, and more than a touch cheeky about it. Will they host a supermarket or a sacred sanctuary? One thing’s for certain – Gietrzwałd is no ordinary town, and it appears they’re not ready to trade their prayers for pandemonium just yet.
So dear readers, keep your eyes peeled and your placards ready. Whether it be divine intervention or a shopping cart revolution – stay tuned, as this saga unfolds! After all, nothing says ‘drama’ quite like a sprinkle of spirituality with a dash of supermarket schadenfreude!
Ew distribution center; they want to preserve their historical legacy. The thought of having a Lidl, with carts rolling and shoppers bustling about, next to the sacred site of Marian apparitions feels like a cultural clash of epic proportions.
As the protests continue to brew, you can almost hear the whispers of the townsfolk rallying behind collective prayer and pastries, hoping to pull some divine strings. They aren’t just fighting for their town; they’re positioning Gietrzwałd as a beacon of Polish heritage in the face of corporate encroachment.
With the local government siding with Lidl and the residents rallying in defiance, Gietrzwałd has become a microcosm of a broader debate — one that pits the pursuit of commercial progress against the preservation of community identity. And while both sides propose their versions of a modern Polish town, the heart of Gietrzwałd beats steadfastly in favor of its historical and spiritual character.
So, what will be the final outcome? Will Gietrzwałd succumb to commercialization, or will it rise up to stand against the tide of change, invoking the Mary that blessed its soil over a century ago? Only time will tell, but one thing is sure: this is not just a story about a supermarket; it’s about a community’s resolve to defend its soul.