- Artist-sculptor: Marcin Łuczkowski
Pigeon Keeper - Gołębnik
Never mind when the Pidgeon Keeper, a dwarf sitting on a pigeon on a ledge of Spiż Brewery in Wrocław gets grumpy. Before the Internet and text messaging, he was THE oh-so-awaited messenger around the world! Today, he just ponders the old times sipping bitter beer at Spiż.
He wonders: how did the practice of bitter beer-brewing outlast the ancient tradition of carrying messages by pigeons? It was his inheritance, trade, passion, and dignity. All but a history today, it is a bitter truth for him indeed!
Pigeons always knew how to fly home. Thanks to this skill they were used as effective massage carriers already in ancient Persia. Later, still over 2000 years ago, the Romans used pigeon messengers to aid their military. Even the Greeks conveyed the names of the Olympic games’ victors to their home cities by pigeons.
By the 12th century merchants, traders and travelers used pigeons throughout Europe as a regular postal service. Great in military situations, they were indispensable in a siege. Perfect for naval purposes, they were sending messages from ships out in waters. Various governments established whole systems of military communication based on the pigeon post. Even in the 19th century, before the telegraph was invented, pigeons were often considered as good means of sending messages among stockbrokers and financiers.
First, used only by humans, the pigeons were transported to destinations in cages. Before releasing, a message was attached to them. It was typically a small roll of paper, stored in a tiny glass or metal tube. Once released the pigeon would fly home, and deliver it avoiding rough terrain, traffic, war, dishonesty, and human error.
Later, when the dwarfs were introduced to the trade the service became even more effective. Dwarfs could ride the pigeons to the destination away from home, skipping the often more dangerous pigeons-in-the-cage part of the process. On the way home, more aware of human plots, dwarfs could also steer away from many dangerous situations unforeseen by the birds. The only issue was – some humans did not believe in dwarfs. But that was basically that: the unbeliever’s problem.
Our Pigeon Keeper comes from a family of old history and tradition.
His ancestors were essential aspects of politics, diplomacy and military actions throughout the Europe and West Asia. The pigeons they flew were used to carry messages during wars and peaceful times. The whole clan was respected and appreciated.
And today? He is only appreciated by the pigeons!
They come swarming the Old Town Market Square, because they know he will never tire of cleaning their wings when a piece of bubble gum gets stuck to it, or free their paws when get tangled in plastic bags, ribbons, or other human debris. Some say he also tells them unbelievable stories from long ago. But humans never spoke pigeon, so it is hard to know if it’s true.
If you go visit the Pigeon Keeper, use rather your camera than a phone to take pictures. He’s smart. He knows about instant messaging, and that you can send his picture across the globe in seconds… And please, never text standing right in front of him. It really does hurt his feelings.
If you will not find him on the ledge, look above. You may see his pigeon sitting on a head of one of the brewers sculpted over the entrance to Spiż. Chances are that his rider sneaked again inside for another pint of Dark Caramel.
My friend Anna treated me to that caramel beer. It was cold and smooth. They brew it right there, in the basement cellar of the old Town Hall. Pretty special! We enjoyed it sitting outside because the weather was great, and it was fun to watch the street artist, musicians, and the pigeons.
Suddenly all the pigeons flew away, and I think I saw the Pigeon Keeper puling his hat bad-temperedly even more over his eyes. There was a drone hovering above us. Taking pictures? Delivering something?
Times change inevitably.
DISCLAIMER: I mentioned the Spiż Brewery without their knowledge or any incentives from them.