Sometimes cited as one of the inspirations behind Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, and often widely (and incorrectly) credited as being the root cause behind Wrocław’s recent epidemic of decorative gnomes, the legends that surround the Orange Alternative hide an extraordinary story of a group that played a defining role in the fall of the PRL.
With its roofs dusted with snow, there’s few finer sights than the Rynek in December. Yet even outside of these months it’s a place to cherish and hold to your heart.
Described by some as “micro works of art”, four models have so far debuted in a string of unexpected locations around the town centre. But unlike the more famous trail of gnomes in Wrocław, this one has seen the pint-sized heroes set inside miniature display cases depicting intricate scenes relating to daily life.
Thought to have been derived from ancient Silesian demonology, the strange creatures later introduced into children’s stories to act as bogeyman figures are now looking to populate the streets of Katowice thanks to artist Grzegorz Chudy.
Named Bacchus after the Greek God of wine – a nod to the city’s historical tradition of winemaking – Zielona Góra’s gnomes as just as delightful as those found in the bigger city of Wrocław.
Following in the footsteps of Wrocław’s gnomes, the town of Chełm has unveiled a trail of eleven cheerful bear cubs that celebrate the city’s favourite animal.
For over a decade stories have circulated about the gnomes’ political leanings – that the little fellas are actually anti-Communist heroes. Yet while this widely reported story makes a good yarn, it’s not actually true – at least, not entirely.
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