The Interior Minister, Neoclis Sylikiotis, is adamant that if the height of the proposed “Kind Angel of the World” statue at Monagroulli is not lowered to be consistent with the broader character of Cyprus, permission for the development will not be granted.
The plans were presented to Mr Neoclis before any formal proposal had been submitted and this was apparently seen as an attempt to pressurise the ministry into giving the project a green light to proceed.
The International Club of Philanthropists and Patrons of Europe plans to build a gigantic metal statue of an angel holding a dove in Monagroulli (???????????) at an estimated cost of €100 million. The development will also include a conference centre, banqueting hall, theatre, restaurants, cafes and offices. The chairman of the Russian Club’s Supreme Council, professor Nikolai Drozdov, believes that the project will significantly enhance the number of tourists visiting the island and create new jobs.
If the project gets the go ahead it will be designed and developed by International Theme Park Services, Inc, an American company which operates in 50 countries. According to the company’s president, Dennis Spiegel, a study on the viability of the project next will be made in September.
In 2010 the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions presented Mr Spiegel with a Lifetime Service Award in recognition of his services to the industry.
(The Cyprus Architects’ Association has also expressed its opposition to the project, calling the development a deplorable piece of architecture.)
Thank goodness for that however when did we ever take any notice of planning permission and if it was built can you imagine the outcry. No power, limited water, economy on the precipice, foreign policy and credibility in tatters, reunification talks all but abandoned but we have got a massive monstrosity of an angel.
After all, it was designed in the very best possible taste!
Oh what a shame this Folly may not be built.
If they are feeling so philanthropic then the money would be better spent towards a new power station.