Monument to young Ludwik Zamenhof

The monument commemorating Ludwik Zamenhof, the creator of Esperanto, is located in Białystok on a street named after him. Unveiled on April 14, 2019, on the 102nd anniversary of his death, it was funded through the Participatory Budget. The statue depicts a young Zamenhof, highlighting his connection to Białystok, where he spent part of his life before moving to Warsaw. Surrounding the figure are letters from three alphabets: Latin, Hebrew, and Cyrillic, which reflect the languages used in 19th-century Białystok and served as inspiration for Esperanto. The monument's design, created by Ryszard Piotrowski and Katarzyna Piotrowska, was awarded in a competition organized by the Mayor of Białystok. Interestingly, this is one of two monuments dedicated to Zamenhof in the city, underscoring his significant role in the history and cultural heritage of Białystok. The monument not only honors the renowned linguist but also emphasizes the multicultural character of the region, where linguistic and cultural diversity have been present for centuries.