Henryk Raabe's bench in Lublin

The bench of Henryk Raabe, the first rector of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin, is an interesting point of interest on the university's academic campus. The sculpture, created by Benedykt Popek, was first unveiled on March 30, 2012, in front of the UMCS rectorate. However, due to a lack of administrative approvals, it was moved on July 7, 2012, to the building of the Faculty of Economics. After two weeks of negotiations, the final location of the monument was approved, and on July 21, 2012, the bench was unveiled again at Maria Curie-Skłodowska Square, near the statue of the university's patron, created by Marian Konieczny in 1964. These events illustrate not only the architectural aspects related to the placement of the monument but also the complexity of administrative processes in academic institutions. From a historical perspective, Henryk Raabe had a key influence on the organization of UMCS from 1944 to 1948, having previously held positions at Jagiellonian University and the University of Lviv. His work laid the foundations for the university's development, making him a significant figure in the history of Lublin and Polish higher education. Interestingly, the bench not only honors Raabe's memory but also serves as a meeting and resting place for students and university staff, becoming a symbolic spot on the campus grounds.