Dryndek
Rynek 35
Dryndek, also called Gadofonik, is the dwarf who invented the dwarf telephone and lives at Rynek 35 on the east side of Wrocław's Market Square. Tomasz Moczek made him in 2008.
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Dryndek
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Story
Dryndek is the dwarf who loved a good chat so much that he invented the dwarf telephone. He stands at Rynek 35, on the eastern side of the Market Square, where legend says he chose a phone booth as his headquarters. As a young dwarf he helped the Pigeon Keeper deliver dwarf mail on the backs of pigeons, but he soon found the birds far too slow. Then he saw giant humans talking into mysterious banana-shaped machines and thought: I can build one of those, only smaller. Stop beside him and you can almost hear a tiny phone ringing.
History & Significance
Dryndek was made by Tomasz Moczek, the sculptor of the very first Wrocław dwarfs in 2005, and appeared on 21 January 2008. He is also known as Gadofonik. His legend says he made a phone booth at the Dialog telephone company on the Rynek his headquarters. The dwarf tradition itself began with the Orange Alternative, the 1980s protest movement whose members painted dwarfs on city walls. Today Wrocław has well over 800 bronze dwarfs, and Dryndek is one of the veterans of the Market Square.
Inspiration
Dryndek celebrates the telephone and the joy of a good conversation. His second name, Gadofonik, mixes the Polish words for 'to chat' (gadać) and 'telephone' (telefon), while 'Dryndek' echoes the old-fashioned ring of a phone, the Polish 'dryń'. In his legend he serves the customers of the 'dwarf network', which is a funny wink at the telecom company that is part of his story. He is a nice reminder that people have always loved to talk, whether by pigeon, by phone or face to face on the Rynek.
Fun Facts
- His second name, Gadofonik, mixes the Polish words for 'to chat' and 'telephone'.
- In his legend he began as an assistant to the Pigeon Keeper, delivering dwarf mail on pigeons' backs.
- He is the work of Tomasz Moczek, who also made the first five Wrocław dwarfs in 2005.
- Dzioopelka, the ice-cream dwarf, stands only about 20 metres to the north.
How to Find This Dwarf
From the Old Town Hall, walk about 120 metres east across the Market Square to its eastern side. Dryndek stands at Rynek 35 at pavement level. If you are coming from Dzioopelka, the ice-cream dwarf, walk about 20 metres south. Your mission: make a dwarf phone with your hand, 'call' Dzioopelka 20 metres to the north and say hello in your best dwarf voice.
Nearby Dwarfs
See all Wrocław dwarfs on the dwarf list
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Dryndek dwarf in Wrocław?
Dryndek stands at Rynek 35, on the eastern side of Wrocław's Market Square, about 120 metres east of the Old Town Hall.
Why is the Dryndek dwarf also called Gadofonik?
Gadofonik mixes the Polish words for 'to chat' and 'telephone'. In his legend Dryndek invented the dwarf telephone.
Who made the Dryndek dwarf?
He was made by sculptor Tomasz Moczek and appeared on 21 January 2008.
Accessibility
Wheelchair AccessibleGround LevelOutdoor
Stands at street level on the Market Square, which is flat but paved with cobblestones that can be bumpy for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
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