A lion has appeared in front of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk! This unique lion, sculpted by Tomasz Radzewicz, not only captures the spirit of the Faculty (and the entire University), but also puts our university on the map of Gdańsk's tourist attractions. Above all, however, it is a wonderful fruit of cooperation and goodwill between many committed individuals and institutions. The ceremonial unveiling of ‘Hewelion’, who in his flowing gown strides dynamically towards the Faculty of Law and Administration, took place on October 1, 2025.

Hewelion is a symbolic, somewhat fairy-tale figure of a lion, whose name consists of two parts associated with Gdańsk: the surname of the astronomer Jan Heweliusz and the English word for lion, as one of the ‘holders’ of the Gdańsk coat of arms. The figurines have been placed in characteristic locations around the city, next to important monuments and tourist attractions. Now, the University of Gdańsk's campus has joined the list.

The ceremonial unveiling of the sculpture took place on October 1, 2025, shortly after the inauguration of the academic year at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk. The Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration, dr hab. Wojciech Zalewski, prof. UG, emphasised that the presence of the little lion on the campus is primarily the result of cooperation and generosity, and thanked everyone who contributed to Hewelion's arrival in front of the Faculty building:

‘This lion would certainly not be here if it weren't for the contribution of many people,’ he said. ‘At the Faculty of Law and Administration, and at the University of Gdańsk in general, we usually work as a team, and when we work as a team, we are successful. I think that we are opening another path, another stage in the development of the Faculty of Law and Administration and the University of Gdańsk. Thank you very much.’

Among the organisations and individuals involved in bringing the lion-lawyer figure to the University of Gdańsk campus, the Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration mentioned, above all, the Gdańsk Tourist Organisation, which supported the project in many different aspects, including financially. The ‘Gdańsk Trail of Hewelion the Lion’, developed by the GTO and modelled on the Wrocław dwarf trail, will ultimately consist of 40 figures. The lion that became part of the University of Gdańsk campus and included our university in the above-mentioned tourist trail is the nineteenth sculpture in the series.

Where did the idea to place the ‘Gdańsk lion’ here come from?

‘I am a music lover, I love art, so we often visit the Philharmonic,’ replied prof. W. Zalewski. ‘One of the Hewelions stands there. I really liked this initiative. Then I realised that law faculties are starting to appear on tourist maps. The inspiration came from Katowice. A bebok [sort of bogeyman - ed. note] - Sherlock Holmes - stands in front of the Faculty of Law and Administration there. I thought that such a symbol of the city (like the bebok in Katowice) should also be placed on our campus - the Gdańsk Hewelion should stand in front of the Faculty of Law and Administration.

Each of the Hewelions has an attribute characteristic of a given place. The first university lion also received attributes associated with the faculty in front of which it was placed. As Tomasz Radzewicz, the creator of the Gdańsk lions, admitted, matching the sculpture to the place and giving it the right character is one of the most difficult stages of creative work.

‘The idea is that when you look at such a sculpture, you get the impression that it is dedicated to the Faculty of Law and Administration,’ said the artist. ‘The design of the lion itself, with its somewhat fairy-tale formula, was developed a long time ago, as the first lion was placed in the zoo 10 years ago, but the location and context of the place are always a challenge. It's good to do something with a pinch of salt. This lion is wearing a gown, which inevitably refers to legal attributes, but it also has a closed lawyer's bag. As he strides forward so briskly, we can create various stories about what he has in his bag. So perhaps the most important thing is the idea itself, what the sculpture is meant to express, what it is meant to represent. Because then it attracts attention and may prompt people to stop and look, and reflect.’

‘Tomasz Radzewicz is a wonderful artist with a vision,’ said dr hab. Wojciech Zalewski, prof. UG, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration, during a conversation with the Communication and Promotion Centre. ‘He is able to perfectly capture the movement and dynamics of the characters. Our lion has windblown hair, a windblown toga, he is carrying a briefcase, he is depicted in a dynamic pose. This sculpture tells a whole story. He had to stand in front of the faculty like this, because our faculty is also dynamic.’

Both prof. W. Zalewski and Tomasz Radzewicz expressed their hope that the first Hewelion at the University of Gdańsk would not be the last. The artist admitted that he has plenty of ideas for more lions (for example, a chemist, historian or philosopher), but did not reveal any more details for now.

The unveiling of Hewelion was attended by, among others: Vice-Rector for Student Affairs dr hab. Urszula Patocka-Sigłowy, prof. UG, Chancellor of the University of Gdańsk dr hab. inż. Aneta Oniszczuk-Jastrząbek, prof. UG, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Administration dr hab. Wojciech Zalewski, prof. UG, Vice-Dean for Education at the Faculty of Law and Administration dr hab. Małgorzata Balwicka-Szczyrba, prof. UG, Head of the Dean's Office at the Faculty of Law and Administration Katarzyna Rynkowska, and a representative of the Student Council Wiktor Jakiel.

The lion (one of the most famous heraldic animals) is a symbol of courage, strength and nobility. As the only feline that lives in a herd, it also perfectly reflects how the University works: it reminds us that we are one community.

We cordially invite you to visit and admire the first lion on the UG campus. This unique, dynamic bronze sculpture can be found in front of the main entrance to the Faculty of Law and Administration building (on the side of the Faculty of Social Sciences).