Boleslaw Prus Monument

Aleksander Głowacki, born on August 20, 1847, and passed away on May 19, 1912, was a prominent Polish novelist who gained recognition under the pen name Bolesław Prus. His contributions to Polish literature and philosophy, along with his unique voice in world literature, solidified his position as a significant figure in these fields.

At the age of 15, Aleksander Głowacki participated in the Polish 1863 Uprising against Imperial Russia. Unfortunately, shortly after turning 16, he sustained severe battle injuries. As a result, he developed panic disorder and agoraphobia, which continued to impact him throughout his life. These experiences played a crucial role in shaping his opposition to the use of force in the pursuit of Poland's independence.

In 1872, at 25 years old, Głowacki settled in Warsaw and embarked on a 40-year career in journalism. His work focused on subjects such as science, technology, education, and economic and cultural development. These topics were of great significance to a nation that had been politically divided by Russia, Prussia, and Austria in the 18th century. Głowacki adopted the pen name "Prus" from his family's coat-of-arms.

In addition to his journalistic pursuits, he also wrote short stories. Encouraged by his success in this genre, he went on to tackle larger projects. Between 1884 and 1895, he completed four major novels: The Outpost, The Doll, The New Woman, and Pharaoh. The Doll explores the frustrations of a proactive individual grappling with his country's backwardness. On the other hand, Pharaoh, Prus's sole historical novel, delves into the dynamics of political power and the destiny of nations. It is set in ancient Egypt during the decline of the 20th Dynasty and the New Kingdom.

The idea of erecting a monument to the writer first emerged in 1916 in the pages of the "Tygodnik Ilustrowany" magazine. The idea was revisited in 1960. The funds for this purpose were collected by Warsaw craftsmen. It was made by the little-known sculptor Kamenskaya-Lapinskaya. The monument was unveiled on January 15, 1977.

At the site where the monument now stands, there used to be the editorial office and printing house of the "Kurier Warszawski" newspaper. Boleslaw Prus was one of its editors.

The bronze figure of the writer, standing 3.6 meters tall, is placed on a granite slab. Bolesław Prus is depicted as an older man, holding a cane with his hands crossed behind his back, in a characteristic "contemplative" pose. The monument is meant to symbolize the writer's frequent walks through the city streets.