Why Dwarfs?
Why Dwarfs?
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There are plenty of curiosities in the city of Wrocław, located in southwestern Poland, but among all of them, there's one that has a special spot in the hearts of not only the citizens but also the visitors: the Dwarfs!
The first Wrocław dwarf, named Papa Dwarf, appeared in 2001 on Świdnicka Street. It was installed as
a monument commemorating the anti-communist movement Orange Alternative, whose activists in the 1980s painted dwarfs on walls to cover up anti-communist slogans that were being painted over by the authorities of the Polish People’s Republic.
Since that moment, brothers and sisters started to pop out in the most iconic places of the city: bridges, churches, official buildings, commercial malls, etc. Up to this moment, the total number of Dwarfs is estimated to be over 1,040.
Nowadays, whenever there is a big event or important occasion, the city creates a new Dwarf to celebrate. Thus, the gathering of the Erasmus Generation in Wrocław in 2027 will have its own Dwarf who will join the continuously increasing number of these lovely little friends.
It will become one more into the large list for the Dwarf Hunting that many tourist and locals compete time to time to discover all the new created ones.
Design a dwarf that could become a permanent part of Wrocław's landscape and a symbol of the Erasmus Generation Meeting 2027!
How It Works
How It Works
1. Design your dwarf
Create a concept inspired by ESN and the Erasmus spirit.
2. Submit your proposal
Upload your design through the submission form.
3. Jury evaluation
The best concepts will be reviewed by the organisers and partners.
4. Leave your dwarf in Wrocław
The winning design may become part of the city's famous dwarf family.
Key Information
Key Information
TIMELINE
Submissions: Open 1 July, Close 27 July 2026,
Top 5 selected within 1 month,
2-week public vote follows,
Final results by 20 September 2026.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
ESN volunteers and international students,
Individual or group entries allowed,
1 design per participant or team.
WHAT TO SUBMIT
1 dwarf project (.pdf, .png, .jpg, .svg),
Short description of the concept behind the project.
DESIGN GUIDELINES
Approx. 40 cm final sculpture size,
Keep it simple and symbolic,
Avoid excessive detail or accessories,
Hand-drawn or digital work accepted,
No fully AI-generated designs
SELECTION PROCESS
Jury and Erasmus Generation vote,
The jury consists of representatives from: EGM 2027 Organising Committee, ESN International Board, Communication Committee, Wrocław University, City of Wrocław,
Criteria for jurors: creativity, clarity, simplicity, ESN spirit, aesthetics.
PURPOSE
Winning design becomes inspiration for a dwarf maker who will built the real dwarf based on your design,
Part of the city’s dwarf collection (over 1000 dwarfs!),
Represents ESN values in the public space, in the city that is a finalist of the Erasmus Destination of the Year 2025 and will host the Erasmus Generation Meeting 2027 (more about the event here).
RIGHTS AND USAGE
Submission grants ESN usage rights,
Design may be used in promotion and future projects,
Copyrights are waived.
Ready to Join?
Ready to Join?
Have an idea that deserves a place in Wrocław?
Submit your design and help shape a new symbol of the Erasmus community!
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