A mural has appeared on the wall of a building on Rugianska Street in Szczecin, with the famous Gacek cat peeking out at passers-by. It is a work by Bakcyl Studio, created as part of the ‘Western Pomerania – Green Region’ programme. Ultimately, the project will consist of 11 ecological murals in the region, seven of which were created by Bartosz Podlewski. Further realisations are planned in Kołobrzeg, Stargard, Boleszkowice, Golczewo and Stepnica.
Gacek – the feline king from Szczecin
Gacek was for years the most recognisable cat in Szczecin. He lived on Kaszubska Street, where he quickly became known as the king of this part of the city. He became famous for his friendly disposition and unusual attachment to people. After the material was published on wSzczecinie.pl in 2023, his popularity skyrocketed. The cat even had its own location on Google Maps, where for a time it had the highest ratings of all the city’s attractions. Interest in the Gacek even crossed national borders. Foreign media, including The Guardian, The Washington Post and The Mirror, wrote about the cat. They made the animal a true symbol of Szczecin and one of the most recognisable figures on local social media.
The Bat Cat and its environmental mural
The new mural depicting Gacek is a tribute to the popular feline and, at the same time, part of an effort to promote cleaner air. The mural was created using photocatalytic paints which, when exposed to sunlight, break down harmful nitrogen oxides, reducing pollution and smog. As West Pomeranian Voivodeship Marshal Olgierd Geblewicz explains, the titanium dioxide contained in the paints, combined with oxygen and moisture, also neutralises allergens and bacteria. Eighty-seven authors took part in the competition announced by Western Pomerania. The best designs were selected by an online vote, in which more than 13,000 people participated, and then approved by a jury.
Cat Gacek – Szczecin remembers its pet
Today, Gacek lives in a private home where he is cared for and has a peaceful environment. In 2023, he left Kaszubska Street to take a break from the city bustle. The place where he once sat is now home to a café run by a foundation dedicated to helping animals. The mural with his image is intended to remind us of the need to care for homeless cats and of the importance that an animal that has gained the sympathy of residents and visitors can have in the urban landscape. The Szczecin cat has returned in a new form, this time as the hero of an ecological project.
Source: Bakcyl Studio
Photos: Wojciech Tatarek
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