The beauty we want to share - on the trail of Wojak Szwejk

Beneficiary:   Fredropol Commune

Slovak partner:   Current Ľubiša

Implementation period:   01/06/2018-30/09/2019

Realized project value: € 115 563.96 , including ERDF co-financing: € 93 780.15 ,

Due to the completed project, the center of Fredropol is now unrecognizable. A representative square was built there, alluding to the history of the Fredro family. The square with wooden gazebos, benches, and decorative vegetation was designed in the shape of the Fredropol coat of arms. In the partner commune of Lubisa in Slovakia, a similar investment was made in tribute to Michał Kováč - the first president of Slovakia who was born in this town. The project implementation contributed to the promotion of the tourist offer based on the form of bicycle tourism. Additionally, cross-border events were organized jointly.

The main activities carried out under the project:

• Construction of the square Aleksandra Fredry together with the accompanying infrastructure and the place where cyclists are serviced . As part of the task, a square of A. Fredry, equipped with tourist shelters, sanitary facilities, including for the disabled, meeting all the requirements and standards currently in force, with a comfortable driveway and seats. A bicycle repair station, litter bins and bicycle stands were installed. The square is illuminated and monitored. On the shed wall there are information boards with biographies, history and information about Aleksander Fredro, Andrzej Maksymilian Fredro, Dobry Wojak Szwejk and the communes of Fredropol and Lubisa.
• Extension of the square. Michala Kováč for a shelter and a place for cyclists . As part of the task, the Michał Kováč Square in the village of Ľubiša was expanded with a wooden shelter and its surroundings were changed. A bicycle repair station was installed in the square and signs were installed. One of them was dedicated to Michał Kováč, the first Slovak president. There was also a board with tourist maps of partner towns and a board with the international bicycle route "In the footsteps of the good soldier Švejk", as well as routes connecting the towns of Lubisa and Fredropol. The plaque also contains the history of the soldier Švejk and describes his relationship with the border area.
• Events promoting the trail in the footsteps of Wojak Szwejk in Poland and Slovakia . A promotional event was organized on the Polish side, attracting hundreds of people. The event was also attended by a delegation from Lubisa. The participants of the event had the opportunity to see numerous artistic performances. On the Slovak side, a bicycle rally was organized on the international bicycle route "Dobre Wojak Szwejk". The race ended on the Michał Kováč Square, modernized under the project. This action was aimed at activating residents and tourists, as well as promoting the cultural and natural heritage of the border area.
• Workshops summarizing the project, combined with the promotion of the Polish-Slovak foothills region and with reading A. Freda's literature . During the event, the effects of the implemented project were presented in the form of A. Fredro's square in Fredropol and Michał Kovac's square in Lubisy, along with the biography of their patrons. The tourist, cultural and natural offer of both partner communes was also presented. At the end of the first day, the participants had the opportunity to see the works of A. Fredro. On the second day of the workshop, a working meeting of partners was held, during which further joint meetings and events were planned to develop cooperation and integrate the inhabitants of the Polish-Slovak borderland.

We encourage you to watch   material broadcast on TVP3 Rzeszów with a realized micro-project