A city of ‘dwarf’

Vrooklav Ganoms on Pentens Bridge among St. Mary Magdleen’s church towers. , Photo Credit: Getty Images

W.Roklav’s dwarfs introduced a unique way to detect this attractive city, while the power of peaceful and humorous opposition was demonstrated in shaping its story.

Last November, I got an opportunity to travel to the city of Polish. For centuries, Vrocalav Bohemia, Hungary, Austria, Prashiya and several states of Germany belonged to the second world before the Second World War to be part of Poland after regional changes. I think it explains innumerable ways to pronounce the name of the historical Sangam city – no one is similar to my initial pronunciation. Waiting for my connecting flight in Frankfurt, I approached the boarding desk to inquire about my flight “(W) Rock-Low”. The hostess asked me at least three times before clarifying me, “Ah, the flight to ‘Vrawht-SWahf’ will leave in an hour.” Learned lessons: Always check for the pronunciation of the city you are going.

I had five days to locate the city, in which daylight and temperature were hovering near zero. I visited most of the tourist places, recommended, but the one who stood the most for me was the dwarf of Vrockla. These are short bronze sculptures, usually 20–30 cm long, are scattered across the pavements, walls, lampposts, each to tell each.

On my first day, I faced my first dwarf, a professor outside the University of Vrockla. I accidentally called it “Yogini”, but was quickly corrected by a local: these figures are not fiction, they are dwarfs, who are hard -working, flexible and representative of the fickle qualities of the people of the city.

There are more than 1,000 dwarfs across the city, so the clear question was, “Why does Vrockla have many of these attractive creatures?” The answer was more historical context than my expectation. In the early 1980s, during the martial law in Poland, the communist anti-commercial organization orange originated in the alternative Vrocla. Orange option, in the desire for a peaceful opposition, adopted a method that was ridiculed at that time. The Communist regime depicted anti-government slogans on walls and buildings, and orange options will portray the graffiti, and humorous, non-ideological dwarfs on top of the paint of governance. So, were these dwarf revolting? They were funny, attractive and rich, and helped express resistance in a sarcastic manner, which eventually contributed to the revolution of 1989.

In the late 1980s, Orange Option organized road events such as dwarf revolution, in which more than 10,000 people marched through Vrookla wearing orange dwarf hats. In the recognition of the organization’s resistance efforts, the city established a bronze structure in 2001, called “Papa Dwarna” near Raine (Central Square Market). In 2005, a local sculptor proposed to create more dwarfs, each of which represents the history of Vrocla or a part of the daily life. This initiative has developed in a delightful attraction for local people and tourists. Tourists often roam around the city with a map, which are available with tourist information centers, trying to find all those. This activity also directs tourists to some miracles of the city – it should be Old Town, Cathedral Island, Panorama Battle Painting or Beer Factory.

I enjoyed spotting these dwarfs completely, estimating what they represented and connect them with their surroundings. A local tour guide expressed that some dwarf recalls historical events, other people have become clever marketing tools – such as atmosphere, Bivlioopiles, Chemists and Cunnings. Many businesses perform their own dwarf commissions to represent their services. An Indian restaurant can find a statue of Harivansh Rai Bachchan (similar to dwarf).

The dwarves beat the Vrookla, and their parents are public institutions, companies and private individuals. What was standing the most for me was that the city used art to enhance its flexibility, creativity and sense of humor. The city has not only encouraged, but has also maintained the form of art and has integrated it in urban places.

This taught me that when time is difficult, creativity can still be a powerful way to express our concerns and give voice, empower communities and inspire changes in peaceful and effective ways.

Whether a history is enthusiastic, an art lover or simply a curious traveler, the dwarfs of Vrockla offer a specific lens to detect this panoramic city.

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