Barduś

Story

Barduś is a troubadour with a secret history. Clutching his guitar on ul. Jacka Kaczmarskiego — a street named in honour of the legendary bard of Polish Solidarity — this little musician seems to be listening for a melody drifting across time. Some say Barduś himself whispered the Spanish melody that inspired one of Kaczmarski's most celebrated songs. Others insist that is just a dwarf legend, though no one has ever proven otherwise.

History & Significance

Barduś was installed on 4 June 2009, the 19th anniversary of the first free elections in Poland, when the nearby street was officially renamed from ul. Rybia to ul. Jacka Kaczmarskiego. The dwarf was sculpted by Beata Zwolanska-Holod and is sponsored by NSZZ Solidarnosc (the Solidarity trade union), whose Regional Board of Lower Silesia is located at Plac Solidarnosci 1/3/5. The street renaming and dwarf installation were attended by the bard's daughter, who recalled her father's deep artistic ties to Wroclaw.

Inspiration

Jacek Kaczmarski (1957-2004) was one of Poland's most beloved singer-songwriters, often called the 'bard of Solidarity' for his songs that galvanised the opposition movement in the 1980s. He was strongly connected to Wroclaw through friendships and artistic collaborations. His most famous composition, 'Mury' (Walls), was based on a Spanish melody — and some whimsically suggest that Barduś, who reportedly travelled widely through Europe and especially Spain, may have had a hand in that musical inspiration.

Fun Facts

• The street where Barduś stands was renamed on 4 June 2009 — the 19th anniversary of Poland's first free elections — from ul. Rybia to ul. Jacka Kaczmarskiego.
• Barduś was sculpted by Beata Zwolanska-Holod, one of Wroclaw's key dwarf sculptors, commissioned by the Solidarity trade union.
• Kaczmarski's daughter attended the street-naming ceremony and shared memories of her father's artistic bond with Wroclaw.
• Wroclaw has a dedicated Salon of Jacek Kaczmarski — a cultural institution keeping the bard's legacy alive in the city where he had many close friends.
• According to dwarf lore, Barduś once spent time in Spain and may have discovered the melody that Kaczmarski later made famous in 'Mury' — though the dwarf himself never confirms or denies it.

How to Find This Dwarf

From Plac Jana Pawla II, head south-west towards Plac Solidarnosci — the Solidarity trade union building is at no. 1/3/5. Barduś stands nearby on ul. Jacka Kaczmarskiego, a quiet side street that is easy to miss: look for the street sign as your first clue, then spot the little guitarist embedded in the wall of a tenement. Tram lines serving Plac Jana Pawla II include 9, 11, and 17.

Nearby Dwarfs

Frequently Asked Questions

Accessibility

Wheelchair AccessibleGround LevelOutdoor

Barduś is set into the wall of a tenement on a narrow but flat pavement. The area around ul. Jacka Kaczmarskiego is accessible on foot with no significant barriers.