Work has me visiting Wroclaw, Poland again. And I'm slowly getting to know the culture, although the language with all it's c's, z's and w's put together is still a mystery to me.
Another mystery are the Gnomes (Krasnales in Polish). Everywhere I look there is a Gnome. Even at work overseeing the day to day business.
Story has it that the incarnation of the Gnome began in the 1980's as part of the 'Orange Alternative Movement', led by Major Fydrych. During this communist era, any graffiti or public art was not allowed and was painted over by the militia. To protest against this, or perhaps it was to irritate the militia, members of this movement would re-paint the walls with pictures of Gnomes. Since then Gnomes have become a symbol of Wroclaw.
Since 2001, artists have been commissioned to produce statues of Gnomes partaking in various activities. To the point where there are now over 180 statues dotted all over Wroclaw.
It is a treasure hunt of sorts to see how many you can find. Even today as I was wondering around the Main Square, I was not alone in the quest for finding Gnomes.
I managed to find 27. No where near meeting the goal of a 180, but then I didn't venture too far outside the city centre.
With so many around my favourites were, the one outside Pizza Hut; the Gnome was lying horizontal having had way too much pizza;
The pair trying to push the concrete balls in the Main Square;
The one trying to get cash out of the ATM;
The one outside the post office delivering mail;
And the one on the motorbike giving passers by a wave.
Map of Wroclaw's Krasnals
A very fun way to explore Wroclaw.
Another mystery are the Gnomes (Krasnales in Polish). Everywhere I look there is a Gnome. Even at work overseeing the day to day business.
Story has it that the incarnation of the Gnome began in the 1980's as part of the 'Orange Alternative Movement', led by Major Fydrych. During this communist era, any graffiti or public art was not allowed and was painted over by the militia. To protest against this, or perhaps it was to irritate the militia, members of this movement would re-paint the walls with pictures of Gnomes. Since then Gnomes have become a symbol of Wroclaw.
Since 2001, artists have been commissioned to produce statues of Gnomes partaking in various activities. To the point where there are now over 180 statues dotted all over Wroclaw.
It is a treasure hunt of sorts to see how many you can find. Even today as I was wondering around the Main Square, I was not alone in the quest for finding Gnomes.
I managed to find 27. No where near meeting the goal of a 180, but then I didn't venture too far outside the city centre.
With so many around my favourites were, the one outside Pizza Hut; the Gnome was lying horizontal having had way too much pizza;
The pair trying to push the concrete balls in the Main Square;
The one trying to get cash out of the ATM;
The one outside the post office delivering mail;
And the one on the motorbike giving passers by a wave.
Map of Wroclaw's Krasnals
A very fun way to explore Wroclaw.
No comments:
Post a Comment