Monument of Agnieszka Osiecka

Warsaw,Monument of Agnieszka OsieckaPoland
Monument of Agnieszka Osiecka
Obrońców 20, 05-077, Warsaw, Poland
The Agnieszka Osiecka Monument – a monument located in Warsaw in the Praga-Południe district, on Saska Kępa at the intersection of Francuska Street and Obrońców Street.

Agnieszka Osiecka

Agnieszka Osiecka (1936–1997) was a renowned Polish poet, writer, and lyricist. She is celebrated for writing over 2,000 songs, which played a significant role in Polish music and culture. Her work often explored themes of love and social issues. In addition to songwriting, Osiecka was also a journalist and playwright. Her legacy continues to influence Polish arts and culture.

Here are some key aspects of her life and work:

  • Early Life and Education: Born in Warsaw, Poland, Osiecka was deeply interested in literature and the arts from a young age. She pursued her education in this field, which greatly influenced her later work.
  • Literary and Artistic Contributions: Osiecka was a prolific writer, best known for her song lyrics. She wrote over 2,000 songs, which became popular in Poland and are still celebrated. Her works often reflected themes of love, life's challenges, and societal issues.
  • Collaborations with Musicians: She collaborated with many renowned Polish musicians and composers. Her ability to blend poetic depth with musicality made her lyrics enduringly popular in Polish music.
  • Influence on Polish Culture: Osiecka's work had a significant impact on Polish culture, especially during the Communist era. Her songs, often filled with subtle social and political commentary, resonated with the public.
  • Journalism and Other Writings: Apart from songwriting, she was also involved in journalism and wrote for various Polish publications. She authored several books, plays, and radio dramas, showcasing her versatility as a writer.
  • Legacy: Even after her passing in 1997, Osiecka's work continues to be celebrated in Poland. Her songs remain staples in Polish music, and her contributions to literature and culture are widely acknowledged and honored.

Monument

The monument to Agnieszka Osiecka was unveiled on May 19, 2007, during the Saska Kępa Festival. The sculpture, created by Dariusz and Teresa Kowalski, was cast in Starachowice.

The monument depicts the poet sitting at a table, with one leg over the other, wearing a skirt and high-heeled shoes, with tied hair, looking straight ahead. On the table in front of her, there are scattered sheets with song lyrics. The sculpture is located in a café, where everyone can sit by the monument.

The cafe in front of which the monument was placed used to be a room where a drugstore existed during the artist's lifetime. The artist herself used to visit cafés located near the intersection, "Sax" at Francuska Street 31 and "Cafe Sułtan" at Obrońców Street 12a. In January 2019, the premises housing the café were replaced by a Carrefour store.