Pomagajek

Story

Pomagajek is a little dwarf with a very big heart, and his whole job is to help. He sits at Sukiennice 12 on Wrocław's Market Square, at the Krasnal Info point, and legend says he never refuses anyone who asks for a hand. He hands out kindness the way other dwarfs hand out nuts: one for you, one for a friend. Children who stop to greet him often find the world feels a little lighter afterwards. Be like Pomagajek and do one good thing before you leave the Rynek.

History & Significance

Pomagajek appeared on 16 October 2015 at Sukiennice 12, at the Krasnal Info tourist point. He was made by sculptor Piotr Makała. He was created to support the Wrocław Children's Hospice Foundation, which helps seriously and terminally ill children. The foundation ran a social campaign called 'Bądź jak Pomagajek' (Be like Pomagajek), in which the dwarf offered nuts and encouraged people to help. He belongs to the dwarf tradition that began with the Orange Alternative, the 1980s protest movement that painted dwarfs on walls.

Inspiration

Pomagajek stands for helping others, and in particular for the work of the Wrocław Children's Hospice Foundation, which cares for children with severe illnesses and supports their families. His name comes from the Polish verb 'pomagać', to help. He stands at Krasnal Info, the dwarf information point where visitors come to ask for directions, which suits a dwarf whose name means 'little helper'. His message is simple and works for any age: a small act of kindness can make someone's day.

Fun Facts

• His name comes from 'pomagać', the Polish verb for 'to help'.
• A social campaign called 'Bądź jak Pomagajek' (Be like Pomagajek) used him to encourage kindness.
• He sits at the Krasnal Info point, where dwarf maps of the city centre are available.
• Halabardnik, a guard dwarf, stands about 16 metres to the east.
• Ślepak and W-Skers are about 25 metres to the south, so this corner has several dwarfs at once.

How to Find This Dwarf

Go to the south side of the Old Town Hall and look for the Krasnal Info point at Sukiennice 12. Pomagajek sits right there, about 25 metres north of the pair Ślepak and W-Skers. Halabardnik, the guard dwarf, is about 16 metres to the east. Your mission: do one small helpful thing before you leave the square, such as holding a door or sharing a snack, and tell Pomagajek about it.

Nearby Dwarfs

Frequently Asked Questions

Accessibility

Outdoor

Stands on the cobblestone surface of the Market Square at the Krasnal Info point. The cobbles can be bumpy for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and the exact height of the dwarf has not been checked on site.