Żalki

Żalki is a group of outdoor sculptures created by Krzysztof Sołowiej, located in the Citadel in Poznań, near the works of Magdalena Abakanowicz. These sculptures depict figures without pedestals, emerging from the ground, becoming parts of the surrounding nature. Their flowing robes and lack of faces make them symbolize prehistoric spirits and a pure, conscious form of existence. According to the interpretation by Jan Gryka, the trees surrounding the sculptures are unchanging witnesses of time, much like the Żalki themselves, which evoke the uninterrupted history of generations. The sculptures were unveiled on January 14, 2007, and were part of the Poznań – City of Art project, implemented by the Provincial Public Library and the Center for Cultural Animation. Interestingly, this outdoor artistic space blends art with nature, fitting into the broader cultural and historical context of Poznań and its artistic traditions.