Wikipedia Monument in Słubice

The Wikipedia Monument in Słubice is the world's first monument dedicated to the co-authors of Wikipedia. It was unveiled on October 22, 2014, at Frankfurt Square, and its initiator is Krzysztof Wojciechowski, the administrative director of Collegium Polonicum. Standing over three meters tall, the monument was designed by Armenian artist Mihran Hakobyan, who envisioned the Wikipedia logo as an incomplete sphere made of puzzle pieces, held aloft by four figures standing on a pedestal symbolizing stacks of books. The monument, made of laminate resembling brass, has an "old gold" color and was funded by the Słubice Municipal Office at a cost of 62,000 PLN. The pedestal features three plaques with inscriptions in three languages: Polish, German, and English. The unveiling was preceded by a symposium with representatives from the Wikimedia Foundation, highlighting the international nature of the project and the importance of collaboration within the Wikipedia community. The ceremony gathered many distinguished guests, including the mayor of Słubice, Tomasz Ciszewicz, and Wikimedia-related figures such as Professor Dariusz Jemielniak. The monument not only stands as a testament to the commitment to knowledge and free information but also serves as an important cultural landmark for Słubice and the region. Interestingly, despite its symbolic significance, in 2019, damage was noticed on the fingers of the figures depicted in the monument, indicating a need for maintenance. The Wikipedia Monument in Słubice symbolizes the vital role of Wikipedia in education and access to information, while also emphasizing the importance of international cooperation in building a free encyclopedia.