Student Monument in Katowice

The Student Monument of the University of Silesia in Katowice, located in front of the university's rectorate at Bankowa 12, was unveiled on June 24, 2008. The initiative to build the monument was undertaken by the authorities of the University and the city of Katowice, resulting in a design by Prof. Jerzy Fober and Prof. Andrzej Szarek, employees of the Sculpture Department at the Institute of Art of the University of Silesia in Cieszyn. The monument references the motif of the kouros from ancient Greece, depicting a smiling young man wearing a cap and with a bare torso, symbolizing youth, joy, and the pursuit of knowledge. The statue stands about two meters tall and is made of bronze, emphasizing its durability and artistic significance. The intended future location of the monument is the facade of the newly built Academic Library (CINiBA). The monument not only enhances the academic space but also highlights the cultural aspirations of the region and the importance of education. Interestingly, the project was conceived to integrate art with student life, serving not only as a decorative element but also as a symbol of belonging to the academic community of the University of Silesia.