The legend of the mini-sculpture of the brave soldier Schweik
In her book “Uzhgorod – the world capital of mini-sculptures”, Nadiya Popadiuk explains an interesting legend related to this mini-sculpture. According to this legend, the city of Uzhgorod was the first stop of the famous warrior Shveik. One evening, a quiet, modestly dressed man entered a local inn on the banks of the Uzh River. “Greetings, I’m Josef Švejk,” the man introduced himself, although there was no one in the inn except the innkeeper. In those days, in the territory of Transcarpathia moonshine “slyvyanka” was an indicator of the level of wealth of the family and was given to guests, it was brewed exclusively on spring water, so it was transparent, like a tear. The innkeeper greeted the guest and, according to custom, poured him a full glass of plum wine, which Schweik drank down in one gulp and began to tell about himself.
He told about his hometown Prague, how he traveled around the country, how he participated in military maneuvers and even how he was under the military tribunal in Terezin. She talked in such a way that they did not notice that it was already dawning outside. Finally, Švejk spoke about his tradition: in new cities and countries where he visits, he usually leaves bronze mini-sculptures with his image as a symbol of human freedom to move, despite bureaucracy, obstacles, and war. He took out a roll of white cloth from under his shirt and gave it to the innkeeper, who promised him that after the end of the hostilities and the establishment of peace, he would place a mini-sculpture of Shveik in the city of Uzhgorod.
Having received a large bottle of plum wine as a gift, the brave soldier left the city and went in search of new adventures. The innkeeper fulfilled his promise, and after the end of the war, the mini-sculpture of Shveika settled on the railing of the Uzh River embankment, opposite the inn, which is famous for the tastiest plum in the city.
