Poets' Bench in Tarnów

The Poets' Bench stands on Wałowa Street in Tarnów. It is a monument in the form of a low stone wall, on which sit life-size bronze-cast figures of Zbigniew Herbert, Agnieszka Osiecka and Jan Brzechwa. It was unveiled on 3 December 2004.

What it looks like

The wall is built on a square plan and surrounds a flower bed with a tree. It is capped with a slab of polished stone, on which the figures of the writers sit on three sides. The sculptures are by the Tarnów artist Jacek Kucaba.

Fragments of works are engraved on the figures. On Osiecka's dress are the words of the song "Będę czekać", on Brzechwa's back the verses of "Kaczka Dziwaczka", and on the figure of Herbert lines from the poems "Chciałbym opisać" and "Przypowieść". Beside Brzechwa sit a duck, a frog and a tortoise.

Origin of the idea

The bench was created on the initiative of the Tarnów Public Library and the culture department of the city office. The poets were chosen by the library's readers in a poll. Beside the figures are boxes with volumes of their poetry, and the keys to them can be borrowed at a nearby pizzeria.

Practical information

• Address: Wałowa Street, Tarnów, next to the centre.
• Next to it stands the cathedral basilica, and nearby the Ludwik Solski Theatre.
• The monument stands in public space and can be viewed at any time.