Oxford unveiled a gift of friendship, a gnome named Zyczliwek, meaning 'well-wisher'. The Polish gnome was gifted from Oxford's twinned city of Wroclaw in Poland.

A permanent home has been found for Zyczliwek in Oxford’s Covered Market, where he will welcome and offer well-wishes to residents and visitors.

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Zyczliwek was officially unveiled by Jakub Mazur, the deputy mayor of Wrocław, on Saturday. The Deputy Mayor was joined by other special guests from Wrocław at the event.

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Dignitaries from Oxford attended the event included the Lord Mayor of Oxford, Craig Simmons; Councillor Mary Clarkson, cabinet member for culture and city centre; Ewa Gluza, chair of oxford polish association, and members of the Polish community in Oxford.

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Wroclaw is the fourth largest city in Poland and is situated in the west of the country. It is a university city with a student population of more than 130,000 and became twinned with Oxford in 2018.

Councillor Mary Clarkson, cabinet member for culture and city centre said: "Although there are clear differences between Oxford and Wrocław – filling a city centre with gnomes being an example – it is fascinating to see all the things we share."