Josef Švejk's bench in Przemyśl

The Józef Szwejk Monument in Przemyśl is a sculpture created by Jacek Michał Szpak, located in the city's market square. It commemorates the character from Jaroslav Hašek's novel *The Good Soldier Švejk*, parts of which are set in Przemyśl. The bronze statue depicts the soldier sitting on an ammunition crate, holding a beer mug and a pipe. The monument’s plaque indicates that it was created by the Przemyśl Association of Friends of the Good Soldier Švejk and unveiled in 2008. An interesting fact is that Przemyśl hosts annual name day celebrations for Józefs and Józefinas, which bring together fans of Švejk; this event has been recognized with a certificate from the Polish Tourist Organization. Despite its cultural significance, the monument has sparked some controversy. The uniform refers to the Austro-Hungarian army, which is inconsistent with the plot of the novel, where Švejk was disguised as a Russian soldier. Additionally, the beer mug features the logo of Tyskie beer, which is a historical inaccuracy, as the brewery in Tychy was located in the German Empire at the time of the novel’s events, not in Austria-Hungary. The monument not only adds a valuable element to the urban landscape but also sparks discussions about historical accuracy and cultural connections.