The sculpture "A Man crossing the River," balancing on a rope stretched between the two banks of the Brda, has become a city symbol. It appeared in Bydgoszcz on May 1, 2004, to commemorate Poland's entry into the European Union. What keeps the "Crosser" suspended above the water for so many years? The secret lies in shifting the center of gravity below the level of the rope, allowing the sculpture to maintain balance. Next to the "Crosser" on the rope, you’ll also notice a swallow (in German, schwalbe). This is a nod to Andrzej Szwalbe, a prominent Bydgoszcz citizen and the founder of the Pomeranian Philharmonic. The sculpture’s was made by Jerzy Kędziora.
In 2024, on the 20th anniversary of Poland’s accession to the EU and the unveiling of this Bydgoszcz symbol, 10 more exceptional works by the artist arrived in Bydgoszcz. The exhibition "Elevation. Jerzy Kędziora's Balancing Sculptures" on Mill Island will be available until October 24, 2024.
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