Ślepak

Story

Ślepak is a small blind dwarf who stands in front of the entrance to the Museum of Bourgeois Art in the Old Town Hall, at Rynek Ratusz 1. Legend says he knows every corner of the Market Square by sound alone, from footsteps on the cobblestones to the street musicians and the chatter from the cafés. He is never lonely, because Głuchak and W-Skers stand right beside him and the three of them keep each other company. Close your eyes for a moment and listen to the Rynek the way Ślepak does, and you may hear the city in a whole new way.

History & Significance

Ślepak was unveiled on 18 June 2008 by the underground passage on Świdnicka Street, together with his friend Głuchak, the deaf dwarf. The ceremony was part of the 'Wrocław bez Barier' (Wrocław Without Barriers) campaign and was attended by Member of Parliament Sławomir Piechota and the then mayor, Rafał Dutkiewicz. The figure was made by sculptor Marta Mirynowska. Later the dwarfs were moved to the Market Square, in front of the Museum of Bourgeois Art in the Old Town Hall, where far more people can meet them. Like every Wrocław dwarf, he carries on a tradition that began with the Orange Alternative, the 1980s protest movement whose members painted dwarfs on walls.

Inspiration

Ślepak is an ambassador for people who are blind or have low vision. The 'Wrocław bez Barier' campaign wanted the city to notice residents with disabilities and the everyday barriers they meet, such as high kerbs, steps and missing signs. He is part of a trio with Głuchak, who is deaf, and W-Skers, who uses a wheelchair and had already been waiting on Świdnicka Street when the other two arrived. Putting them in front of the Old Town Hall, the most visited spot in Wrocław, was a way of saying that everyone belongs on the Rynek.

Fun Facts

• He first stood by an underground passage on Świdnicka Street and was later moved to the Market Square.
• Together with Głuchak (deaf) and W-Skers (wheelchair user), he forms Wrocław's trio of 'barrier-free' dwarfs.
• The unveiling ceremony on 18 June 2008 was attended by the mayor of Wrocław.
• Pomagajek and Zraszacz live within about 30 metres, so this corner of the Rynek has four dwarfs in one go.

How to Find This Dwarf

Walk to the Old Town Hall in the middle of the Market Square and look for the museum entrance on its southern side. Ślepak, Głuchak and W-Skers stand together right in front of it, almost touching each other. From Zraszacz, the sprinkling dwarf, it is only about 30 metres to the south-east. Your mission: close your eyes for ten seconds and name three sounds of the Market Square, then open them and say hello to all three friends.

Nearby Dwarfs

Frequently Asked Questions

Accessibility

Wheelchair AccessibleGround LevelOutdoor

Stands at ground level on the cobblestones in front of the museum entrance. Pushchairs and wheelchairs can reach him, but the cobbles are bumpy. His friend W-Skers, who uses a wheelchair, stands right next to him.