the statue of chopin
Frederic Chopin was a Polish composer and pianist. In Lazienki Park, Warsaw, there is a statue dedicated to him.
During World War II, it was the first monument that the Germans bombed in Warsaw. Fortunately, the original mould was still available. And the replica statue, what we see today, replaced the original one in 1958.
But, it’s no ordinary statue. Depending on which angle it is admired, it is possible to see different things.
So looking at it slightly from the right side, it is Chopin sitting underneath a weeping willow tree.
Walk behind the statue and around to the other side, the weeping willow branch, now looks like a hand, with fingers curled over… curled over a piano possibly??
And then stand square in front of the statue, and the weeping willow looks like the head of an eagle from its neck, which is the national symbol of Poland. Can you see its eye?
By the statue, during summer, every Sunday there is a free Chopin recital. We would’ve liked to have done this but unfortunately we missed it this time.
Wise Monkeys Piece of Trivia: Chopin’s music was banned in Poland by the Nazis during World War II as it was believed he represented “everything Polish”. His music united the Polish people.
Please feel free to leave us a comment here
wise monkeys abroad 
August 13, 2014 at 7:13 am
awesome photos – and really appreciate this because I have some Polish in my genes – ❤
and love the trivia…
"Wise Monkeys Piece of Trivia: Chopin’s music was banned in Poland by the Nazis during World War II as it was believed he represented “everything Polish”. His music united the Polish people."
how cool is this….
and well, I am going to listen to Chopin right now – thanks for another great post.
August 13, 2014 at 4:06 pm
Hi Yvette! Welcome back! Hope you enjoyed your break away from blogging 🙂
Glad you enjoyed this post! Poland is a wonderful place!
August 7, 2014 at 8:49 pm
he was amazing and so is that statue!
August 8, 2014 at 4:46 am
Listening to his music whilst in Poland and after seeing his statue … we grew a greater appreciation for his music 🙂
August 7, 2014 at 7:22 pm
Wow !!! Thanks, for posting such wonderful stuff regularly. It is such a pleasure reading your posts with my 7 year old son. We get to see so many unique things from far of places. We loved the Austrian Astronomical clock too, though he was more interested in the rooster flapping wing part 🙂
August 8, 2014 at 4:49 am
Awww thanks so much for your lovely message 🙂 We are so glad your son can enjoy it too. Maybe instil a love of travel in him?! 😉
We learn so much from one another in this world and blogging has really allowed that to happen.
Thanks for coming by and reading often!!
August 8, 2014 at 2:55 pm
🙂
August 7, 2014 at 6:53 pm
You guys! We seem to be tracing each other’s travels! We were in Warsaw last year and did see the concert. It was a really sweet experience! We liked Warsaw a lot. People were great. Did you make it to the Jewish Cemetery? VERY moving place! Great post….love this statue!
August 8, 2014 at 4:54 am
Hi Diana…. Hahaha – we are tracing your travels but clearly we are at least a year behind 😉 Glad you liked the post and we are envious you saw the concert! Seems like we are seeing things you didn’t and vice versa 🙂
No, we didn’t get to the Jewish Cemetery. There was a lot of moving places to visit in Poland, wasn’t there? Some just reduced us to tears. It’s a beautiful country that endured so much pain for a while there. Sad to think of countries that are affected by war, past and present!
But on a brighter note, thanks for reading 🙂 Have yourself a great rest of the week!
August 7, 2014 at 6:12 pm
Gorgeous! So lucky their kept the mould.
Makes me think of that chat up line: ‘they broke the mould when God made you’ hehe. So interesting that it has so many angles :D. I saw the eye 😀 xxx
August 8, 2014 at 5:00 am
Lauren, you made us laugh with that chat up line!! And made us cringe too… LOL! It was extremely lucky that they didn’t lose the mould! Hope you have been keeping well.
August 7, 2014 at 5:54 pm
What a cool statue 🙂 I love the trivia!
August 8, 2014 at 4:57 am
We were so fascinated too with the different ways the statue could be “seen”. Thanks so much reading and leaving us a comment!
August 7, 2014 at 10:30 am
How excellent the mould still existed! But, what a shame, so many historic features are destroyed in wars.
August 7, 2014 at 2:37 pm
Definitely a shame. So many places we have visited in this part of Europe was destroyed during the war…. 😔
August 7, 2014 at 6:58 am
Cool one! I love classical music.
August 7, 2014 at 2:35 pm
Yes, classical music is great to listen to. Have a great day 🙂