Sztafeta (sculpture)

Sztafeta
LocationWarsaw, near Stadion Narodowy
Coordinates52°14′17.14″N 21°02′50.25″E / 52.2380944°N 21.0472917°E / 52.2380944; 21.0472917
DesignerAdam Roman
TypeFigurative sculpture
MaterialConcrete on steel frame
Height4.5 m (15 ft)
Completion date1955
Opening date22 July 1955
Restored date2008

Sztafeta is a figurative architectural sculpture by Adam Roman, depicting three nude runners, two in the act of passing a baton.[1] It is located near George Washington Roundabout in Warsaw, at the entrance to Stadion Narodowy (Gate 3) from Józef Poniatowski Avenue.

Creation

The sculpture drew inspiration from the relief La Marseillaise by François Rude on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris,[1][2] and was modeled after drawings on Greek vases. Initially planned with two runners, Adam Roman added a third figure. The sculpture was originally intended for the stairs in Marshal Edward Rydz-Śmigły Park in Powiśle. However, Professor Jerzy Hryniewiecki, designer of the 10th-Anniversary Stadium, advocated for its placement at Stadion Narodowy, leading to a change in location.[3]

Created in haste for the stadium's inauguration,[4] the sculpture was made as a concrete model on a steel frame, approximately 2 m tall,[5][6] placed on a 2.5 m stone-clad pedestal.[6][7] It was unveiled on 22 July 1955.[8][9] Plans to replace it with a bronze cast after the 5th World Festival of Youth and Students were abandoned.[10]

Restoration

Due to the use of less durable concrete, the sculpture deteriorated quickly.[7] Following requests from the Kamionek Neighborhood Council,[8] Warsaw's conservator-restorer, and a July 2007 resolution by the Warsaw City Council,[11] the National Sports Centre approved its restoration during Stadion Narodowy's construction. In November 2008, Jacek Nowicki restored the sculpture for 50,000 PLN.[6][7]

In 2010, Aleksandra Wałdowska proposed replacing the original with a bronze cast, supported by the National Museum in Warsaw, which planned to house the original in Królikarnia,[6] and the Inter-University Institute of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art at Warsaw's Academy of Fine Arts.[5][12] Professor Andrzej Józef Koss coordinated the project.[13]

From 7 to 31 March 2011, an exhibition titled "Adam Roman – Time of Sztafeta" was held at the Olympic Centre in Warsaw, focusing on the sculpture's creation and history, with Adam Roman attending the vernissage.[5][13] The exhibition aimed to attract sponsors for the bronze cast project, estimated at 400,000–800,000 PLN.[2][5][14][15] A second edition occurred from 17 to 27 May 2011 at the Faculty of Architecture of the Warsaw University of Technology.[16]

On 23 August 2013, at the initiative of the Warsaw Branch of the Association of Polish Artists and Designers, a granite plaque designed by Ryszard Stry was placed on the pedestal to commemorate Adam Roman, who had died six months earlier.[2][17]

References

  1. ^ a b Urzykowski, Tomasz (6 March 2013). "Żegnamy autora „Sztafety" na Narodowym. Miał 97 lat" [Farewell to the Author of "Sztafeta" at the National Stadium. He Was 97]. Gazeta.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Urzykowski, Tomasz (23 August 2013). "Tablica dla zmarłego rzeźbiarza przed Stadionem Narodowym" [Plaque for the Deceased Sculptor at the National Stadium]. Gazeta.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  3. ^ Wałdowska, Aleksandra (January–February 2010). "Spiżowa sztafeta" [Bronze Relay]. Stolica (in Polish). 1–2. Warsaw: EKBIN. ISSN 0039-1689. OCLC 69306532.
  4. ^ "Moja Sztafeta" [My Sztafeta]. Polskie Radio (in Polish). 7 March 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d Urzykowski, Tomasz (7 March 2011). "Nie ma pieniędzy na odlanie z brązu słynnej „Sztafety"" [No Funds to Cast the Famous "Sztafeta" in Bronze]. Gazeta.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  6. ^ a b c d Zugaj, Andrzej (July–September 2010). "Ocalona „Sztafeta"" [Saved "Sztafeta"] (PDF). Cenne, Bezcenne, Utracone (in Polish). 3 (64). Warsaw: Pagina: 36–37. ISSN 1428-6467. OCLC 749137919. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 September 2013.
  7. ^ a b c Urzykowski, Tomasz (23 November 2008). "Stadion do wymiany, a „Sztafeta" zostaje" [Stadium to Be Replaced, but "Sztafeta" Stays]. Gazeta.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  8. ^ a b "Stanowisko Rady Osiedla Kamionek jednostki pomocniczej m.st. Warszawy w dzielnicy Praga Południe z dnia 10 lipca 2007 r. w sprawie rzeźby „Sztafeta", tablicy poświęconej Ryszardowi Siwcowi, tablicy poświęconej poległym Polskim Olimpijczykom oraz Pomnika Wdzięczności Żołnierzom Armii Radzieckiej" [Position of the Kamionek Neighborhood Council, a Subordinate Unit of the City of Warsaw in the Praga Południe District, of 10 July 2007 Regarding the "Sztafeta" Sculpture, the Plaque Dedicated to Ryszard Siwiec, the Plaque Dedicated to Fallen Polish Olympians, and the Monument of Gratitude to Soviet Army Soldiers]. kamionek.waw.pl (in Polish). 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
  9. ^ Zawiślinska, Milena (27 August 2011). "Co zostało ze Stadionu X-lecia?" [What Remains of the 10th-Anniversary Stadium?]. TVN Warszawa (in Polish). Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
  10. ^ Urzykowski, Tomasz (22 February 2010). "Słynna rzeźba sprzed stadionu będzie miała kopię" [Famous Sculpture by the Stadium Will Have a Copy]. Gazeta.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  11. ^ "Stanowisko Nr 6 Rady miasta stołecznego Warszawy z dnia 12 lipca 2007 roku w sprawie zachowania tablic pamiątkowych i rzeźby „Sztafeta" ze Stadionu X-lecia" [Resolution No. 6 of the Warsaw City Council of 12 July 2007 Regarding the Preservation of Commemorative Plaques and the "Sztafeta" Sculpture from the 10th-Anniversary Stadium]. bip.warszawa.pl (in Polish). 12 July 2007. Archived from the original on 30 September 2013.
  12. ^ "Quo biegniesz „Sztafeto"?" [Where Are You Running, "Sztafeta"?]. kamionek.waw.pl (in Polish). 7 March 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
  13. ^ a b "„Adam Roman – Czas Sztafety" w PKOl" ["Adam Roman – Time of Sztafeta" at the Polish Olympic Committee]. PKOl (in Polish). 9 March 2011. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013.
  14. ^ Jarecka, Dorota (20 May 2012). "Bosi, goli i uciekają na Zachod" [Barefoot, Naked, and Fleeing Westward]. wyborcza.pl (in Polish). Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  15. ^ "Adam Roman – czas sztafety" [Adam Roman – Time of Sztafeta]. Dom Spotkań z Historią (in Polish). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  16. ^ "Adam Roman – czas sztafety. II edycja" [Adam Roman – Time of Sztafeta. Second Edition]. warszawa.sarp.org.pl (in Polish). 12 May 2011. Archived from the original on 27 September 2013.
  17. ^ "Sztafeta. Adam Roman – fotorelacja" [Sztafeta. Adam Roman – Photo Report]. owzpap.pl (in Polish). 2 September 2013. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013.
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