Bohdan Smoleń Monument
Kraków Artists: Theatre, Cabaret and Film
A monumental bench and sculpture of the cabaret artist and actor Bohdan Smoleń at the corner of Jabłonowskich and Czapskich streets, by the Bratniak Student House. In the student club Buda, which was created here in 1956, Smoleń founded the Pod Budą Cabaret in 1969 (according to some sources in 1968). The initiators of the monument were the Association of Alumni of the University Agricultural Studies and members of the cabaret. The sculpture was made by Prof. Karol Badyna; it consists of a life-size figure and a bench under which a cat sleeps. The unveiling was planned for 21 March 2024, on the seventh anniversary of the cabaret performer's death.
History
At the corner of Jabłonowskich and Czapskich Streets, by the Bratniak student hall of residence, Bohdan Smoleń sits on a bench, with a cat dozing beneath it. The sculpture was made by Professor Karol Badyna of the Kraków Academy of Fine Arts. The idea came from the Association of Graduates of University Agricultural Studies and from members of the Pod Budą cabaret, who collected signatures for a citizens' proposal. City councillors backed it in 2022, and because the site is listed in the register of historic monuments, the consent of the regional conservator was also needed; it was granted on 9 January 2023.
The choice of location has its reasons. The building at 10-12 Jabłonowskich Street, opened in 1903 to a design by Józef Pokutyński, gained the Buda student club in 1956. It was here that Smoleń, a student of the Agricultural Academy, founded the Pod Budą cabaret: in 1969, or according to some sources a year earlier. With the group he won the main prize of the FAMA festival in 1972, and he performed with it until 1977. He then moved to Poznań, where he played in the Tey cabaret for seven years. In 1999-2015 he also appeared in the TV series "Świat według Kiepskich" as Edzio the postman.
Did you know?
In 2007 Smoleń set up the foundation "Stworzenia Pana Smolenia" (Mr Smoleń's Creatures), which provides hippotherapy for children.