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Momodou
Denmark
11828 Posts |
 Posted - 03 Apr 2010 : 20:08:58
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Monument of African Renaissance
Presse - Presse
Dakar, April 3rd, 2010
Inauguration of the Monument of the African Renaissance
Saturday, April 3rd, 2010, thirty Heads of State and Governments of Africa and the world will participatein the inauguration of the Monument of the African Renaissance in Dakar.
Located on one of the two hills overlooking the west of Senegal's capital, the over fifty meters copper statue represents a couple and their child facing the Atlantic Ocean.
This monument stands both as a remembrance of the many sufferings that history imposed on black people and as a challenge of integration in global progress that Africa and its diaspora put to the world.
Created in the mind of President of Senegal, Abdoulaye WADE, the Monument symbolises the idea of the African Renaissance as supported by President Thabo Mbeki of South Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria as well as the African Union.
Altogether symbolic, cultural and economic (as a tourist attraction), the Monument aims to be part of the great monuments of the world such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, the Statue of Liberty in New York and Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
Its inauguration will lead to great celebrations that will extend to the April 4th celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of the independence of Senegal.
"To all young Africans, fertile soil for hope that arose from the African Union, I wanted to show that Africa has enough spiritual, intellectual and moral resources to build a strong, democratic and prosperous nation." Abdoulaye WADE
Speech by Jesse Jackson You're not logged in! Click here to listen.
Senegal inaugurates controversial $27m monument
Senegal has inaugurated a massive $27m (£18m) monument - higher than the Statue of Liberty - that has drawn huge criticism over its cost and symbolism.
The 49m (160ft) Monument of African Renaissance has been unveiled in Dakar as the highlight of the nation's 50th anniversary of independence.........
Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8601382.stm
Related Topic: http://www.gambia.dk/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8428
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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anna
Netherlands
730 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2010 : 15:19:30
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I am surprised there have been no reactions so far to Momodou's posting on Bantaba on the revealing of this megalomaniacal statue.
One wonders if the money could not have been spent in an other way, i.e. a way which would make the Senegalese population benefit more.
Every person who would have thought about this for longer than 3 seconds could have known the representation of the 'typical Senegalese family' (?) would be cause for shock with Senegalese muslims (or in fact with anyone who would object to the nudity or to the somewhat exaggerated representation of the male and the female bodies that - to me - seem to come from a comic book). Did anyone of you ever see a man or a woman like that  ?
The Senegalese president thinks it will attract more tourists, i hope he's right so that something good will come out if this.
I am sceptical, though - and if i were a Senegalese woman i would lead a (peaceful) protest march  .
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When an old African dies, it is as if a whole library has burnt down.
Amadou Hampate Ba (Mali) |
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Senegambia
175 Posts |
Posted - 05 Apr 2010 : 20:30:11
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There will always be discussions and sometimes fury as to how government spend tax payers' money. We have seen (heated) debates over and over even in countries that regard themselves as bastions of democracy. It is healthy and it is needed! I for one think this status is cool and I like what it is suppose to represent. My only problem is how the president is going to get his share from the income the monument generates. How I wish Wade never came up with such an ugly formula!!
Regarding the imams and their so called fatwas, I think they need to chill! Looking at their couterparts in Banjul, one gets impressed by Senegal and the relative indepependence of their religious leaders. |
Tesito
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 06 Apr 2010 : 13:22:54
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i think its a great monument.Senegal has a very strong art movement.art can sometimes be controversial, even a naked picture in a museum can invited heated comments.
whatever it does, i think its a nice monument and next time i am in Dakar i will visit it a a tourist.
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Dembish
Gambia
284 Posts |
Posted - 07 Apr 2010 : 00:10:37
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| I think the money could have been use to generate employment opportunities for the vast majority of unemployed youths in senegal. |
There is no egg without a chicken, and no chicken without egg. |
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