Tian Tian
Rynek 27a
Tian Tian is a kung fu dwarf who flies a kite towards Beijing and stands at Rynek 27a on Wrocław's Market Square. He was created in 2022 for the tenth anniversary of a Chinese businessman's life in Poland.
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Tian Tian
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Story
Tian Tian is a calm dwarf in a kung fu stance who sends a kite flying towards faraway Beijing. He stands at Rynek 27a on the Market Square, and legend says that when the wind blows from the east, his kite tugs just a little harder. The Chinese character on the kite, Tian, means sky or heaven, and he keeps his eyes on it as steadily as a martial arts master. Try his pose yourself: feet apart, back straight, and breathe slowly like a dwarf who is never in a hurry.
History & Significance
Tian Tian appeared in June 2022 at Rynek 27a. He was made together with Congolese sculptor Jean Louis Kotagomba, who had lived in Beijing for ten years, and he was commissioned by Zihao Zhuge, a businessman who has lived in Poland for about ten years and runs the Wushi Chinese language school in Wrocław. Zhuge ordered the dwarf to mark the tenth anniversary of his arrival in Poland. Chinese media reported on the 'Chinese' dwarf of the Rynek at the end of June 2022. Like all Wrocław dwarfs, he continues the tradition that began with the Orange Alternative.
Inspiration
Tian Tian celebrates Chinese culture and the friendship between people from China and Poland, seen through the eyes of a Wrocław resident. The kung fu stance, the kite and the character Tian ('sky' or 'heaven') are classic symbols of Chinese martial arts and tradition. His name repeats the syllable twice, which in Chinese is a common way of making an affectionate nickname. He stands at the address of the Wushi school, so the dwarf and the school share the same home on the Rynek.
Fun Facts
- The Chinese character Tian on his kite means 'sky' or 'heaven'.
- Congolese sculptor Jean Louis Kotagomba, who lived in Beijing for ten years, worked on him.
- His sponsor, Zihao Zhuge, runs the Wushi Chinese language school in Wrocław.
- Karmelia, a dwarf lady, stands only about 12 metres to the north.
- Kolekcjoner, the coin-collector dwarf, lives about 43 metres to the south-east.
How to Find This Dwarf
From the Old Town Hall, walk about 80 metres east-south-east towards the eastern side of the Rynek and look for number 27a. Tian Tian stands near the Wushi school building. Karmelia is about 12 metres to the north and Bawarka about 22 metres north. Your mission: copy his kung fu stance and hold it for five slow breaths, then draw a kite and write 'sky' on it.
Nearby Dwarfs
See all Wrocław dwarfs on the dwarf list
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Tian Tian dwarf in Wrocław?
Tian Tian stands at Rynek 27a on the eastern side of Wrocław's Market Square, about 80 metres east-south-east of the Old Town Hall.
Why does the Tian Tian dwarf fly a kite?
The kite with the Chinese character Tian ('sky' or 'heaven') is a symbol of Chinese tradition. Together with the kung fu stance, it makes Tian Tian a friendly ambassador of Chinese culture.
Who commissioned the Tian Tian dwarf?
Zihao Zhuge, who runs the Wushi Chinese language school in Wrocław, commissioned him for the tenth anniversary of his arrival in Poland.
Accessibility
Wheelchair AccessibleGround LevelOutdoor
Stands at street level on the Market Square, which is paved with cobblestones that can be bumpy for pushchairs and wheelchairs.
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