Jowatek
Jowatek, also listed as Sanepidowiec, is a bearded dwarf holding up a small glass tube at Składowa 1/3 in Nadodrze. He was made by Marlena Zakrzewska and appeared in May 2017.
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Jowatek
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Story
Jowatek is the dwarf who always checks. Holding a little glass tube high in one fist, with his pointed cap tilted and his moustache twirled, he looks at the contents as if the whole of Nadodrze depended on the result. Rumour among the other dwarfs says that the tube once held something very serious, and that he has never told anyone what. Wave, and he may give you a stern but friendly nod.
History & Significance
Jowatek stands at Składowa 1/3 and was made by Marlena Zakrzewska; wromap.pl lists his appearance date as 18 May 2017. Wrocław's bronze dwarfs grew out of the Orange Alternative, a playful, non-violent protest movement of the 1980s whose members painted dwarfs on city walls; since 2005 the city has been filling its streets with bronze dwarfs, and there are now hundreds of them. The same listing gives an alternative name, Sanepidowiec ("the sanitary inspector"). We found no sponsor for him and do not name one.
Inspiration
In the photo Jowatek holds a small tube or flask up in his right hand, with a pointed cap, a full beard and a curled moustache. The alternative name Sanepidowiec points to the Polish sanitary and epidemiological inspection (sanepid) - a reading that fits the tube - but we found no source that spells out the idea behind the statue, so we do not say more.
Fun Facts
- Wromap.pl also lists him as Sanepidowiec, a nickname linked to the sanitary inspection.
- In the photo he holds a small glass tube or flask in one raised hand.
- He was made by Marlena Zakrzewska and appeared on 18 May 2017.
- His nearest neighbour, Wandzia Rutkiewicz, is only 56 m southwest.
- After that the nearest dwarfs are a long way off: Wrocklik is 328 m north and Geolog 380 m south.
How to Find This Dwarf
Find Składowa 1/3 in Nadodrze and look at the wall near ground level for the dwarf with the glass tube. Wandzia Rutkiewicz is just 56 m southwest, so you can see both in one stop. Wrocklik is a longer walk, about 328 m north.
Nearby Dwarfs
See all Wrocław dwarfs on the dwarf list
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Jowatek dwarf?
Jowatek stands at Składowa 1/3 in Wrocław's Nadodrze district.
Why does Jowatek hold a glass tube?
In the photo he holds a small glass tube or flask. Wromap.pl also lists the nickname Sanepidowiec, but we found no source that explains the idea, so we do not claim one.
Who made Jowatek and when?
He was made by Marlena Zakrzewska, and wromap.pl lists 18 May 2017 as his appearance date.
Accessibility
Ground LevelOutdoor
The photo shows him at the foot of a plastered wall at ground level. Paving and kerbs were not verified on site.
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