Prague
Coal Market
No wonder the news on the declaration of mobilisation raised interest of the passers-by. They excitedly read through the lines that will turn their lives upside down, when suddenly Josef Švejk appears and comments on the situation in his typically quirky manner. The scene full of concern changes into a farce.
Good soldier Švejk is probably not aware that the name Coal Market (Uhelný trh) originated in mid-14th century, as charcoal was actually sold here. The Classicist fountain in the middle of the triangle-shaped square has been on the square since 1951. Švejk, however, doesn't have time to deal with history or future, he has a war to protest against - in his own special and humorous way. The viewer is dying of laughter, but often feels shivers down his spine at the same time.
