- Source: Wojtek the Bear Monument (Sopot)
Wojtek the Bear Monument (Polish: Pomnik Misia Wojtka) is a bronze statue in Sopot, Poland, at Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street. It is dedicated to Wojtek (1942–1963), a Syrian brown bear which accompanied the 2nd Polish Corps during World War II. He is depicted wearing a military uniform, and sitting on a create of ammunition. The monument was designed by Paweł Sasin, and unveiled on 1 September 2019.
History
The monument was proposed by Ewa Rakowska-Eggar, a turist guide based in London. She created two organizations to help collect the necessary founds, the Foundation for the Construction of the Wojtek the Bear Monument, based in Sopot, and Wojtek the Bear Friends Club, based in London.
The sculpture was designed by Paweł Sasin, and unveiled on 1 September 2019, in the 80th universe of the outbreak of the Second World War.
Characteristics
The monument is placed on an escarpment behind the St. George Church, and facing Bohaterów Monte Cassino Street (lit. Heroes of Monte Cassino Street). It is dedicated to Wojtek (1942–1963), a Syrian brown bear which accompanied the 2nd Polish Corps during World War II, including in the Battle of Monte Cassino, when he helped in moving crates of ammunition.
The bronze sculpture depicts a young Wojtek, wearing a summer military uniform of the 2nd Polish Corps, sitting on the crate of ammunition. On the side is a Polish inscription that reads żołnierzą (translation: to the soldiers). Next to him, to his right, is placed a backpack with a heart inside. It is a reference to a song "Serce w plecaku" (lit. Hearth in the Backpack) by Michał Zieliński, which was popular among soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces during the conflict. It also features a cartoon illustration of Wojtek holding an artillery shell.
