In my life I have been most affected by scouting and books by Karl May. Friendship, heroism and fight against injustice. I love stories about Native Americans and their symbols have been with me to this day.

 

The Inuit, the indigenous peoples inhabiting the northernmost territories America, built inuksuit more than even two thousand years ago. They were signs of good places to live, good hunting grounds, respect for the spirits and powers of nature or landmarks to commemorate the given location.

You may it remember as the symbol of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

 

Every encounter with one on my travels was always a very strong experience. Seeing an inuksuk with the majestic peaks in the background in Whistler, Canada was like a childhood dream come true. And similarly, the encounter in Zermatt, Switzerland, with the Matterhorn backdrop was simply unforgettable.

 

The idea to build one at this location came to me exactly one year after the passing of my best friend who died tragically near the aforementioned Whistler, Canada.

I commissioned a sculptor from the village of Bílsko u Hořic. My grandfather used to have a workshop here where he would make skis and sleds. Had I not travelled there because of the inuksuk I would not have found out that every year an event takes place in Bílsko to honour my grandfather – a race on skis and sleds made by him.

Inuksuk took my breath away many times.

 

It is a reminder that Špindlerův Mlýn is a good place to live and we should take good care of it.

It is also a reminder that family and friends are the most important asset in life.

It is a reminder that love and friendship can bridge time and space.

 

To all mountaineers and dreamers who have ever loved mountains and life.

 

Standa Šebek

Bobsleigh track co-owner

 

Built on 19 November 2020