Statue of Maria Konopnicka (Warsaw)

Maria Konopnicka Monument is a syenite statue in Warsaw, Poland, within the Saxon Garden in the Downtown district. It is dedicated to Maria Konopnicka, a 19th- and 20th-century poet, novelist, children's writer, and activist for women's rights and the independence of Poland. It was designed by Stanisław Kulon and unveiled on 22 May 1966.

History

The monument dedicated to Maria Konopnicka was proposed by the students of the Primary School no. 11 in Kalisz, whose appeal was publicised in children's biweekly magazine Płomyczek. It led to people from across the country donating money to the cause, collecting around 600,000 zloties.
The monument was made by sculptor Stanisław Kulon and unveiled on 22 May 1966, a day prior to the 124th anniversary of Konopnicka's birth. For his work, the sculptor was awarded with the Honorary Badge of Merit to Warsaw.

Characteristics

The monument is located in the northwestern portion of the Saxon Garden. It consists of a syenite statue depicting Maria Konopnicka in a sitting position. It is placed on a low pedestal. It bears three Polish inscriptions, which are

on the front: Marii Konopnickiej – dzieci ;
on the right: Odsłonięty 22 maja 1966 roku
and on the left: Pomnik ufundowany ze składek dzieci staraniem redakcji „Płomyczka” i Towarzystwa im. Marii Konopnickiej.