The statue of Fonske, whose full name is “Fons Sapientiae” (“fountain of wisdom” in Latin), stands in the centre of Leuven, the renowned Belgian university city. Created by Belgian sculptor Jef Claerhout in 1975 to mark the 550th anniversary of KU Leuven, it depicts a young student holding an open book with a mathematical formula for happiness, while pouring a liquid – symbolically interpreted as water (or even beer) – over his head.
This humorous and original image embodies the dual essence of student life in Leuven: the pursuit of knowledge and the joyful celebration that characterises the local culture. The book symbolises the pursuit of wisdom, while the liquid personifies the absorption of knowledge. Very popular, Fonske is often dressed up at student parties and remains a dynamic symbol of Leuven's identity, embodying the university spirit where learning, conviviality and tradition converge.
Source: World City Trail
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