Kwinty's Bench from the film "Vabank"

Kwinty's Bench is a monument-bench dedicated to the character Henryk Kwinto from the comedy film Vabank, forming part of Piotrków's film trail. This unconventional cultural object combines a fascination with cinema with the city's heritage, remaining a legacy of the famous 1981 film that left a lasting mark on Polish culture.

The film Vabank and its influence

Vabank is a 1981 comedy thriller directed by Juliusz Machulski, marking the filmmaker's directorial debut. The film established many phrases and terms in Polish colloquial speech. The main character, Henryk Kwinto, was the primary focus of interest for the creators of Piotrków's film trail. Many scenes from the production took place in Piotrków, and the city has drawn on this heritage to build its cultural identity.

The bench design and its concept

The bench erected in 2015 next to the building that housed the fictional Bank Kramera from the film features a distinctive design. The seat is shaped like piano keys, referencing musical motifs from the production. The backrest contains stylised letters spelling Vabank–Kwinto. To the left of the bench stands a steel figure of a man holding a golden trumpet, symbolising the hero. The object is described as a representative example of postmodernist kitsch in Polish public culture.

History and relocation

In September 2024, the bench was moved to a new location. Its previous position at Sieradzka 5 proved unsuitable for this public object. The bench had deteriorated over time due to bird deposits and atmospheric conditions, requiring intervention to preserve it as a film monument. The new location at the intersection of Sieradzka Street and Plac Kościuszki was chosen for its film context—this is precisely where in the film Kwinto observes the fictional Bank Kramera, which forms the centre of the production's action. The relocation of the object was part of broader work to maintain Piotrków's film trail, whose purpose is to acquaint visitors with the locations featured in the action of the famous film. The film trail project represents a form of thematic tourism, combining interest in cinema with knowledge of the city's topography and history.

Practical information

• Location: intersection of Sieradzka Street and Plac Kościuszki, Stare Miasto, Piotrków Trybunalski (from September 2024)
• Access: the bench is situated in public space, accessible at all times
• Getting there: centre of Piotrków's Stare Miasto, several hundred metres from the main promenade
• What to expect: monument-bench for photographs, part of the city's film trail, a point of interest for cinema fans and lovers of local history