Overlooking the Bolivian mining city Oruro a massive statue of the Virgin of Socavon has been unveiled, delighting the Virgin’s devotees and promising to draw more tourism during the city's peak Carnival season.
The statue can be viewed from nearly every point of the city. It cost USD 1.3 million to build and is made of fiberglass, reinforced cement and iron. The Virgin – the patron saint of miners, is one of the tallest statues in the western hemisphere standing just a little shorter than New York's Statue of Liberty, and seven meters taller than Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer.
Bolivian President Evo Morales, who has roots in the west of Oruro, took part in the celebration and the unveiling of the statue and spoke of how important the statue is:
Bolivian President Evo Morales:
"It is a moment in which the image of the Virgin of Socavon is elevated; a moment in which the image of the people of Oruro are elevated; a moment in which the image of Carnival in Oruro is elevated."
The Oruro Carnival is South America's second most important carnival, and is held every year in honour of Virgin of Socavon. It is hoped that the impressive statue will be the icing on the cake for many of the city’s thousands of visitors.
No comments:
Post a Comment