Prague’s river Moldau has been pricked by a purple middle finger of exaggerated length in a big f*** you to politics.
The ten-metre tall expletive is pointed toward the Czech President’s office in Prague Castle and the protest sculpture is the work of avant-garde artist David Cerny.
“People are very upset about the communistic practices which demolish democracy,” Cerny told Prague’s Metro newspaper.
“This finger is a message to remind people to please learn more about democracy,” local Czech tour guide Vlasta said.
Erected just days ago the President has made no comment.
“Democracy is still very young here and people still need to learn how to use democracy,” Vlasta added.
The Czech Republic will go to the polls to elect a new Prime Minister this weekend and it comes after a scandal forced the PM’s resignation after allegations involving his mistress, his wife and the secret service.
The political situation permeates the capital city. On Monday I walked the streets of the Old Town, and a concert stage was set up that hummed with a gathering audience. Young people sat on kerbs eating mustard topped hot dogs from wood log stalls, waiting to be part of something.
As the clock tower clicked to the hour and the green copper church spires rang out seven an anti-communist concert was held in Old Square Place and featured popular Czech bands.
Around the city, there are political party posters plastered on every surface. One of the more memorable candidates is styled like James Bond, with a black and white background and the tagline “009”, just a few digits off the original.
Overlooking that big f*** you in Prague is a permanent red needle sculpture called the metronome. It stands in the place where Stalin built a 33 foot statue in 1955 that was dynamited down in 1962.
It swings from left to right, a balance that tempers political leanings and reminds the Czech people night and day that democracy is an active choice.
