Apparently the Brazilians are planning to erect a 20-ft replica of Rio's famous Christ the Redeemer statue on top of Primrose Hill at the end of the Olympics this summer, to celebrate the handing over of the Olympic flame from London to Rio.
It was meant to be a secret but news has leaked out, and residents are not best pleased:
Friends of Primrose Hill chairman Malcolm Kafetz told the Camden New Journal: "I do not see why it should go there. It does not represent anything of England or Primrose Hill. Primrose Hill is a place for people to go and enjoy the view."
Indeed. It seems much too bombastic for a place where, traditionally, generations of drunk or stoned Londoners have staggered up in the early hours in the usually forlorn hope of seeing the sun rise over the capital. And poor Friedrich Engels, whose old house at the bottom of the hill would be overlooked by this monstrosity, will be turning in his grave.
Terry Sanderson, President of the National Secular Society:
The Olympic Games is supposed to unite people of all creeds and cultures through sport. Introducing something as blatantly sectarian as this would completely go against the spirit of the games and be a kind of triumphalist statement about Christianity. It is a very bad idea and must be kicked into touch immediately.
Strong words. More typically British, I think, is the response of local councillor Chris Naylor, who said he wasn't sure a 20ft statue of Christ with his arms outstretched was quite what the area needed.
If they're going to give us a present, the Brazilians, there must be another way: a samba carnival at the Olympic site, perhaps, or a free Gilberto Gil CD to every Londoner. Well, almost anything would be better than this.
They've already given the world the 'Brazilian'...what could possibly top that? ;)
Posted by: DaninVan | January 26, 2012 at 08:59 PM
They're the favourites for the womens' beach volleyball so that's a start.
Posted by: Martin Adamson | January 26, 2012 at 09:07 PM