Sculpture to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the town's foundation

The bronze sculpture is the artistic conception of the first written mention of Miletín. The author is a figurative sculptor Sebastian Wojnar. With its legacy, the work returns us to the historical events of 1124, when in water castle, Prince Vladislav I welcomed Bishop Otto Bamberg and the official founding of today’s city of Miletín.

The history of Miletín is based on this meeting, recorded in four symbolic milestones: the rise of Miletín under the rule of the German Order. Knights, the granting of town rights by George of Wallenstein, the fire of the town in 1846, which gave rise to the the modern form of the town and also the birth of the most significant native K. J. Erben in 1811. The final work is cast in bronze in the size of a rough 5.5 metres, then crafted and patinned. It is located in the park in close proximity next to the Church of the Annunciation.

On Saturday, September 28, 2024, on the occasion of the 900th anniversary of the first written mention of the town of Miletín, a 5.5-meter-high bronze sculpture group EPOPEE OF MILETÍN by young sculptor Sebastian Wojnar was unveiled. The sculpture group, mounted on a monumental concrete pedestal, is an artistic interpretation of the first written mention of Miletín. Through its message, the work takes us back to historical events in 1124, when Duke Vladislav I welcomed Bishop Otto of Bamberg at the water castle, officially establishing today's town of Miletín.

The unveiling took place as the culmination of the town's year-long celebrations. In addition to the sculpture's author Sebastian Wojnar, Mayor Miroslav Nosek, Deputy Mayor Stanislava Hlaváčková and members of the town council, a large number of guests and the general public participated in the festive day and main program of this event. The unveiling itself, which was placed in Na Parkáni park next to the Church of the Annunciation, was preceded by a historical procession from the square to the unveiling site, joined by a large public.During installation, which took place several days before the celebrations, a message from the town and the author himself to future generations was placed inside the sculpture.

Speeches at the veiled sculpture with honor guard and later on the podium in the square were delivered by, among others:

- Martin Dvořák – Minister of the Government of the Czech Republic for European Affairs

- Cogan Rudolf – Deputy Governor of the Hradec Králové Region

- Pavel Bičiště – Deputy Mayor of Hořice

- Sebastian Kuršel – Director of Fabrika 1861, where Sebastian Wojnar's sculpture studio is located and where the sculpture was created

- Vladana Vajsová – Director of HVH Horní Kalná art foundry

- Nicol Hörügel – Chairwoman of SV Grostöbnitz 90

- Ute Lukasch – Member of Parliament in "Landtag Thüringen", "Die Linke"The sculpture was unveiled by Mayor Miroslav Nosek and Deputy Mayor Stanislava Hlaváčková.

The sculpture was blessed by Grzegorz Puszkiewicz, parish priest and spiritual administrator. The unveiling act was concluded with a ceremonial military salute by a historical unit.

"I worked on the preparation and realization of the Epopee of Miletín for more than a year. I greatly appreciate the trust of the town's representatives and leadership who entrusted me with this task and, for me, a great challenge. I wish the entire town and all who visit Miletín that this work, for which a beautiful location was chosen, brings as much joy to people as possible, moments of reflection, and serves as a reminder of the stories and events of many centuries that Miletín and its inhabitants have gone through to the present day. And may it also be a legacy of the present time to future generations," said author Sebastian Wojnar at the unveiling.

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