THE TIME COLUMN TO BE DISPLAYED IN TARGI KIELCE

 The six-metre obelisk with a symbolic hourglass was raised in front of the Town Hall in 1999 in order to commemorate the advent of the twenty-first century. "The Time Column" was dismantled in 2007, when the multi-level car-parking facility was being constructed. Now the Column has been thoroughly renovated and will adorn Targi Kielce.

The  Column with the hourglass was made by Sławomir Mick - the sculptor. Now it will be displayed at the expo-centre's courtyard. The installation will be in plece before September's 24th  International Defence Industry Exhibition Targi Kielce has been granted Kielce Mayor's consent to restore the whole obelisk find a new location for it.  The hourglass, found in the warehouse operated by District Greener and Communal Services Enterprise is undergoing a major renovation. It has been sent to a Krakow goldsmith's workshop where it will also be gold-plated. As before, it will be put on a six-metre column with 12 signs of the zodiac. The structure will also be equipped with spot-lights.

 "The Time Column" was not only designed to commemorate the arrival of the new century. It was also supposed to symbolize transience and constant change for the "new". Inside the hourglass, when unveiled on the New Year's Eve of 1999 there were coins, fragments of Kielce newspapers from the late twentieth century with current news coverage.  The information about Kielce - its local government and the City Council was also encapsulated. The founders also wrote a letter to future generations. Before the capsule was sent for restoration, it was opened by the Targi Kielce commission. The findings were examined and indexed.

 - In 1999, as president of Kielce Regional Development Agency, one of the four founders of "the Time Column" I participated in the procedure of the hourglass closing.  Thus this is my personal "sentimental journey". On the letter to future generations there is, inter alia my own signature - says Andrzej Mochoń PhD, President of Board at  Targi Kielce  - Among objects enclosed within there were also badges of 1999's International Defence Industry Exhibition and Logistics Fair.

 I think that after all these years the obelisk should adorn Kielce. Targi Kielce is the city's and the region's ambassador, therefore a good place to remind ourselves about the passage of time and about the fact that we should keep advancing, pursuing the future. The Column with the hourglass will be one of the present-day keepsakes related to the expo centre's activities   - adds President Mochoń.