The 2020 reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque by Turkish President Erdogan has been criticized by the Greek Orthodox Church as an attack on religious tolerance and freedom.

Erdogan's decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque is seen as a move to appeal to his Islamist-leaning base.

The US State Department has criticized the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, urging Turkey to preserve access to the site in a way that respects its diverse history.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis criticized the decision, saying it offends Istanbul's rich cultural history.

Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque symbolizes his efforts to erase Turkey's multiculturalism and bolster his Islamist-nationalist base.

Dr. Özgür Kaymak criticized the decision, saying Hagia Sophia and Chora symbolized co-existence and multi-faith living practices.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque has raised concerns about preservation, with experts warning of a potential catastrophic structural failure due to large visitor numbers.

The Turkish Art History Association has called for the monument's restoration, citing safety concerns.

Damage to Hagia Sophia's Imperial Gate and marble floors has been reported, allegedly caused by heavy cleaning machines.

Turkey has introduced new rules for Hagia Sophia Mosque, including restricted access and entrance fees, to balance religious and tourist visits.

The decision to reintroduce entrance fees at Hagia Sophia was made despite President Erdogan's initial assurance that they would be abolished after its 2020 conversion into a mosque.

The Turkish government's visitor management plan aims to enhance visit quality and safety while preserving the site's historical significance, based on UNESCO's recommendations.

The reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque has drawn international criticism as a perceived political move by Erdogan.

The site's UNESCO World Heritage Site designation and historical significance have added to the controversy

The 2020 reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque by Turkish President Erdogan has been criticized by the Greek Orthodox Church as an attack on religious tolerance and freedom.

Title:

Content: After Hagia Sophia, Turkey converts a second ancient Byzantine church into a mosque

Hundreds of worshippers filled the narrow streets of Istanbul's Fatih district on Friday to hear the sounds of Friday prayers ringing out from the newly inaugurated Kariye Mosque.

Once known as the Chora Church, the site spent the last 79 years as a museum. But it is now the latest structure to be converted back into a mosque by the government of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, following the conversion of Hagia Sophia in 2020. While viewed as a triumph by many Turkish Muslims, the Greek Orthodox Church has decried it as an "ill-advised decision" that "makes a mockery of the Turkish government's commitment to religious tolerance and religious freedom."

Chora's conversion was announced shortly after Hagia Sophia's, but its opening for prayer was delayed by years of restoration work.

The showing for the first Friday prayers at Kariye was relatively quiet compared to Hagia Sophia, which drew hundreds of thousands who filled the streets with prayer rugs for blocks and blocks away from the building. By contrast, the crowd on Friday was relatively average for a mosque in one of Istanbul's more religiously conservative neighborhoods, where Friday worshippers frequently spill out onto the streets.

Both the Chora Church and Hagia Sophia are 4th-century Byzantine constructions. They spent nearly a millennium as Christian holy sites before being converted to mosques by the Ottomans after their conquest of Constantinople in the 15th century. Despite their conversions, they remained revered by Orthodox Christians. After the founding of a secular Turkish Republic in the early 20th century, the decision was made for both to be neither mosque nor church but simply museums.

"Both Hagia Sophia and Chora embodied Byzantine and Ottoman pasts, and they became symbols of co-existence and multi-faith living practices. Their conversion fundamentally implies a hierarchy, prioritizing the Islamic past over all other layers, Greek Orthodox, Armenian, Jewish, Syriac, et al," Dr. Özgür Kaymak, a lecturer and researcher on minority rights at Istanbul's MEF University, told Religion News Service in an email.

Rededicating the sites as mosques is more than just a status change. According to Islamic tradition, artwork of human figures are forbidden in places of prayer, while in Orthodox Churches, icons of Christ, saints and other biblical figures are a defining feature.

In Hagia Sophia, the mosaics of Jesus and Mary have been covered with curtains since the conversion. While Erdoğan promised Hagia Sophia would remain fully accessible and free to all visitors, Turkey reneged on that earlier this year, reimposing an entrance fee on tourists and relegating them to the upper level, while the main floor is exclusive to Muslim worshippers.

Observers have also criticized the Turkish Directorate of Religion's caretaking of the site, noting damage that did not exist when it was under the purview of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

Though Chora is significantly smaller than Hagia Sophia, it is home to some of the best-preserved examples of late-Byzantine art, including mosaics, icons and frescoes, and is considered a UNESCO World Heritage site.

"For us it's a very important place because it remembers our culture and our traditions here," Father Evangelos Markantonis, an Orthodox priest who was leading a group of theology students to Chora on Friday, told Religion News Service.

"Though we cannot venerate as Orthodox Christians, we have to try to find things we can be united on. Only with dialogue and good deeds can we continue our lives," Markantonis, who is also a professor at the University of Athens, said when asked about the controversy.

Erdoğan had long refused calls from his right to convert churches like Hagia Sophia and Chora, telling supporters in 2018 to fill the nearby Sultan Ahmet Mosque (also known in English as the Blue Mosque) before they talked about needing to pray in Hagia Sophia.

Nonetheless, he made an about-turn in 2020.

"My dear nation, the conquest of Istanbul and the conversion of the Hagia Sophia into a Mosque are among the most glorious chapters in Turkish history," Erdoğan said at the time in a speech inaugurating the Hagia Sophia as a mosque.

"This is the most honorable day that Islam has been looking forward to, Greek Constantinople has become Turkish Istanbul," he added, quoting the Turkish poet Nazim Hikmet.

"The resurrection of Hagia Sophia heralds the liberation of the al-Aqsa Mosque. The resurrection of Hagia Sophia is the footsteps of the will of Muslims across the world to come out of the interregnum," Erdoğan said in his concluding remarks.

Chora's opening as the Kariye Mosque comes just weeks after Erdoğan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) suffered its largest electoral defeat in two decades during Turkey's nationwide municipal elections.

"The recent conversion of Chora into a mosque may be due to Erdoğan's many problems, including his geopolitical power politics, his appeal to religio-nationalism to revive his electoral popularity after the March elections or his tactic to divert attention from Turkey's economic downturn," Kaymak said.

Many analysts have attributed the loss to AKP bleeding votes to the more Islamist-leaning New Welfare Party, which has pressured Erdogan over his response to the Israel-Hamas war and humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Muslim worshippers at the mosque on Friday said they viewed its rededication as an Islamic site to be a national win for Turkey.

"This mosque is one of the symbols of the Conquest. We are proud and happy. There are very beautiful frescoes inside. They were also nicely renovated before they were closed. May it be good for our country and our nation," a bystander, Ahmet Öteyüzoğlu, told Turkish media.

"Thank God for these days. Not everyone has the opportunity in their lifetime," another bystander named Mehmet Çelik told the Turkish news service Anadolu Agency, in reference to having been able to pray at both the rededicated Hagia Sophia and Kariye Mosques.

However, Greece, the U.S. State Department and Orthodox Christian institutions worldwide have all criticized the decision to revert the structure into a mosque.

"I want to publicly express my intense dissatisfaction, interpreting the feelings of all Greek women and men, for the completely unnecessary conversion of a historic Byzantine temple, the Monastery of Chora, into a mosque. It is, I believe, an action that offends the rich history of Istanbul itself as a crossroads of cultures," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said shortly before leaving for Turkey for a planned meeting with Erdogan.

"We encourage the Turkish government to preserve and ensure access to sites and buildings that have hosted different religious communities in a way that respects their diverse histories," a State Department spokesperson said in response to questions from Greek media.

"The Turkish government's appropriation of both as the property of one faith group not only constitutes yet another sign of that government's contempt for Turkey's rich Orthodox Christian heritage but further imperils the religious freedom of the Ecumenical Patriarchate and the remaining Christians of that land," the Archons of the Ecumenical Patriarchate said in a statement.

© Religion News Service

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

No--In 1934, Ataturk turned it into a museum, making it a major tourist attraction and secular symbol in Turkey.

Who was angered by the reconversion of Hagia Sophia in July 2020?

Erdogan's decision to convert Hagia Sophia into a mosque is seen as a move to appeal to his Islamist-leaning base.

Title:

Content: >
December 9, 2021

Christian leaders look forward to Turkey's new law on religious foundations

This is an issue of vital importance for local Christian communities whose places of worship are entrusted to and managed by their governing bodies

Religious minorities in Turkey are looking forward to the increasingly Islamo-nationalist government making good its promise of outreach to non-Muslims by giving them freedom to establish and run their religious and social institutions.

The Turkish government is preparing to issue a new regulation on the administrative management of foundations linked to non-Muslim faith communities, which have been paralyzed for years by a legislative impasse that blocks the renewal of their governing bodies.

This is an issue of vital importance for local Christian communities such as Armenians and Assyrians, whose places of worship – many of them historic --, other real estate and public institutions are entrusted to and managed by foundations.

Burhan Ersoy, head of the state-run Directorate of the Foundations, has confirmed that the plan for the drafting of a new regulation concerning the elections for the assignment of offices within the foundations has come into being, Fides reported.

The draft of the text has been drawn up, taking into account requests and proposals from the various minority communities, and it is expected that the new rules, after obtaining government approval, would be implemented by April 2022.

The previous electoral regulation for the top management of foundations had been suspended in 2013, after the government chose to establish new procedures to make the management of real estate more functional and transparent.

This led to some confusion with representatives of the various minority communities unable to come to a consensus to either accept or reject the new electoral rules, Ersoy said.

The Syrian Orthodox Christian Süleyman Can Ustabaşı, current representative of the non-Muslim Foundations within the Assembly of Foundations, has said that the structure of foundations and their membership profiles had changed over time.

The Turkish government already had consultations with the representatives of religious minorities to resolve the dispute over board elections for their foundations.

But Ustabaşı now urges Turkish authorities to carry out another consultation with representatives of minority communities before the new text is to be implemented in 2022.

The legal status of the Foundations is still based on the Peace Treaty of Lausanne, signed in 1923 by Turkey and the Entente powers (British Empire, France and Russian Empire) victorious from the First World War.

The treaty guaranteed equality before the laws and the freedom to promote and manage "religious and social institutions" for non-Muslim communities in Turkey.

However, the state had seized properties run by these foundations and had to contend with litigation as these foundations claimed the rights guaranteed by the Treaty of Lausanne.

Also, starting from 1936, legislative provisions had allowed foundations of non-Muslim communities to acquire new properties. But in 1974, this guarantee was canceled and the state begun seizing assets acquired by these foundations.

Between 2013 and 2018 about 1,084 properties were returned to the foundations linked to non-Muslim communities, and 20 places of worship restored and given back to the foundations, according to official data.

Greek Orthodox Laki Vingas, in a speech published by the Armenian-Turkish newspaper Agos, said that the legislative deadlock on the question of the regulation of the foundations has had a negative effect on the life of the different ecclesial communities.

The block in the processes of renewal of the governing bodies of foundations had led to the expulsion of young people from the institutions linked to their communities, and also that many voluntary activities were "unfortunately interrupted".

Non-Muslim places of worship

Within the general Assembly of the Turkish Foundations are some 167 minority foundations. The Turkish Greek community has 77, the highest number of foundations. The Armenian community has 54 and the Jewish community has 19 foundations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after a cabinet meeting held on October 25 announced that authorities had put on the agenda the question of the elections of the directorates of the foundations linked to religious minorities.

He also spoke of fundamental tools for the management of assets and resources destined for non-Muslim places of worship.

The issue of the foundations come at a time when Turkish authorities have expelled more and more Protestant Christians -- foreigners and Turkish converts-- on grounds they constitute a "threat to national security".

Turkey had also recently transformed museums into mosques, such as the Hagia Sophia and the Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora.

Both churches had been turned into museums after the end of the Ottoman Empire and the establishment of modern Turkey.

The Church of the Holy Saviour in Chora was built by the Byzantines in the 5th century. The Ottomans then turned it into a mosque after they captured Constantinople in 1453. And it remained a Muslim worship space until the end of the Second World War when it was transformed into a museum.

The same happened to the Hagia Sophia Museum in Iznik, and the high-profile reconversion of the Hagia Sophia Museum, Istanbul's most identifiable monument.

Many observers believe that President Erdogan, weakened internally by a bad economy and a lack of political perspective, is compensating with erasing part of the country's multiculturalism, aimed at shoring up the ranks of his Islamo-nationalist base.

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Title:

Content: New rules come into force for the visit of Hagia Sophia Mosque in Turkey - Sunrise Gate
Tuesday 16 January 2024 2: 04 PM Cairo Cairo 24 °
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New rules come into effect for visiting Hagia Sophia mosque in Turkey
DBA
Published on: Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM | Last updated on Tuesday 16 January 2024 - 1: 54 PM
The project for the Hagia Sophia mosque was closest to the heart of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan – but it was also the project that drew international criticism.
In the summer of 2020, Erdogan restored Hagia Sophia to be a mosque after it was originally a church, converted into an Ottoman mosque, converted into a museum.
At the time, Erdogan assured citizens that entry fees would be abolished, adding that the cultural edifice would remain open to everyone – Muslims or non-Muslims alike.
There will be another major change from January 15, with access to the Hagia Sophia restricted and visitors will have to pay fees again.
Turkish Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Arsoy hopes this will improve coexistence between religious and tourist visitors.
Arsoy said recently that tourist visitors are making noise and disrupting calm and prayer.
Until recently, visitors and worshippers were allowed to enter the interior of Hagia Sophia together, with barriers and signs keeping a certain distance between them.
However, from now on, worshippers and tourists will be introduced through different entrances.
Although worshippers can use the same entrances as before, tourists will be guided through an upstairs hallway.
According to Arsoy, tour guides will not be allowed to accompany visitors through the corridors, and earphones will be used instead.
“Our priority there is prayer, ” Arsoy said, noting that the building is a world cultural heritage site and should therefore remain open to all visitors around the world.
Zuleiha Duman, 29, who returned to Istanbul from Germany to see Hagia Sophia after it was converted into a mosque, said she found it taking away.
Welcoming the new rules, she said: “As long as the entrance fee isn ’ t too high, I think it ’ s acceptable. ”
“Why shouldn ’ t Turkey and the government take advantage of this place?
These funds can be channeled to preserve more religious places. ”
Hagia Sophia has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of Istanbul ’ s history since 1985.
Built by Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia was the largest place of worship in Christianity for nearly a thousand years, it was the main church during the Byzantine Empire, and from the seventh century, the emperor was crowned inside.
After the Ottomans entered Constantinople (now Istanbul) in 1453, the Hagia Sophia was converted into a mosque.
On the orders of the founder of the Turkish Republic Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the building was converted into a museum in 1934 until the summer of 2020.
Hagia Sophia is as symbolically important to Orthodox Christians around the world as St. Peter ’ s Basilica is to Catholics.
After the building was converted into a mosque, criticism poured in from the Greek Orthodox Church.
The UNESCO Foundation also criticized the decision without consultation.
For Erdogan, turning the place into a mosque was his “childhood dream, ” as he himself said, and pleasing to religious voters.
A few external changes were made at the time, for example, a green carpet was placed above the marble floor.
It seems clear that all these things did not detract from the popularity of this teacher.
According to official statistics, some 13.6 million people visited the Hagia Sophia landmark in 2022, not all of them from Europe.
The number of visitors from Indonesia in particular has risen, Hagia Sophia Imam Binyamin Topoglu told Turkey ’ s Anadolu news agency in 2023.
The amount of the fees has not yet been determined.
Tourism Minister Ersoy says the proceeds will be spent on cultural assets, for excavation or preservation of monuments such as the Hagia Sophia.
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What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

What kind of domestic reaction did Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia receive?

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

The US State Department has criticized the conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque, urging Turkey to preserve access to the site in a way that respects its diverse history.

No--In 1934, Ataturk turned it into a museum, making it a major tourist attraction and secular symbol in Turkey.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis criticized the decision, saying it offends Istanbul's rich cultural history.

How did Muslims and Orthodox Christians react to the reconversion?

How did the Greek prime minister describe the reconversion in May 2024?

An act that belittles Istanbul's history

Erdogan's reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque symbolizes his efforts to erase Turkey's multiculturalism and bolster his Islamist-nationalist base.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

Erdogan's decision was influenced by Turkey's Islamic resurgence.

Dr. Özgür Kaymak criticized the decision, saying Hagia Sophia and Chora symbolized co-existence and multi-faith living practices.

The conversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque has raised concerns about preservation, with experts warning of a potential catastrophic structural failure due to large visitor numbers.

Title:

Content: [ditty_news_ticker id="27897"] Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia - Orthodox Christian Laity

Video Shows Fragments Falling from the Dome of Hagia Sophia

0

Source: Greek Reporter

A still from a recently released video shows visitors rushing to take cover as fragments fall from the dome of Hagia Sophia. Credit: Daily Motion/BirGün

A video from 2022 that came to light recently shows fragments falling on visitors from the dome of Hagia Sophia, the former epicenter of Christian worship at Constantinople, today’s Istanbul.

The footage released by the Turkish newspaper, BirGün, raises serious questions over the safety of the former Orthodox Christian cathedral, now a mosque.

BirGün notably quoted officials as saying that “pieces are falling from the roof, due to the humidity created by the crowd, but no precautions are being taken”.

The president of the Turkish Art History Association, Serif Yasar, argued for restoration of the monument as soon as possible, suggesting that “If Hagia Sophia is not restored, it will collapse with the first earthquake.”

The monument was restored as a mosque three years ago after serving as a museum from 1935-2020 and has since received 21 million visitors, according to Turkey’s tourism and culture minister.

Yasar added that when the church was a museum, the scientific council overseeing it urged that groups of no more than 25 people should be allowed to enter the building at any one time.

This enormous lift in visitation has likely brought to the forefront the need for repairs and it was indeed reported in September that the Turkish government had decided to start long-term maintenance of Hagia Sophia.

Turkey to implement visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia

In early October Turkish historian Ilber Ortayli expressed fears that the large number of visitors to Hagia Sophia could lead to a catastrophic structural failure if not addressed immediately.

Writing in the Hürriyet daily, Ortayli said that the monument, which attracts three million pilgrims annually apart from tourists, has undergone significant damage since its conversion into a mosque.

He asserted that even a modest number of 20-30 thousand people annually, including scientists, historians, archaeologists, representatives of the Muslim religion, politicians, and public officials, could be considered excessive for the endurance of the monument.

In June 2022 a number of tiles of the ancient marble floors in Hagia Sophia were damaged by heavy machines used to clean the site.

In April 2022, The Turkish Association of Art Historians stated that the historic Imperial Gate in Hagia Sophia had been badly damaged.

The group posted a picture clearly depicting the damage to the oak wood of the 15-century-old gate.

Turkey unveiled plans in late October for a visitor management policy at Hagia Sophia, including charging foreign tourists with an entrance fee to be implemented starting Jan. 15.

Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy said that extensive restoration work is underway in various sections of Hagia Sophia, now a mosque, with plans to progress to other parts upon their completion.

He emphasized that, based on UNESCO’s recommendations, a visitor management plan would be enforced to enhance the quality and safety of visits while preserving the historical significance of the site.

Related Articles
Officials argue for repairs to Hagia Sophia after footage shows fragments falling from the dome – Neos Kosmos

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The Turkish Art History Association has called for the monument's restoration, citing safety concerns.

Damage to Hagia Sophia's Imperial Gate and marble floors has been reported, allegedly caused by heavy cleaning machines.

Turkey has introduced new rules for Hagia Sophia Mosque, including restricted access and entrance fees, to balance religious and tourist visits.

The decision to reintroduce entrance fees at Hagia Sophia was made despite President Erdogan's initial assurance that they would be abolished after its 2020 conversion into a mosque.

No--In 1934, Ataturk turned it into a museum, making it a major tourist attraction and secular symbol in Turkey.

The Turkish government's visitor management plan aims to enhance visit quality and safety while preserving the site's historical significance, based on UNESCO's recommendations.

The reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque has drawn international criticism as a perceived political move by Erdogan.

What political motivations influenced Erdogan's decision to reconvert Hagia Sophia?

The decision aimed to rally anti-Kemalist voters.

The site's UNESCO World Heritage Site designation and historical significance have added to the controversy


The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen, has been targeted several times since it was installed in 1913.

The head of the nymph was stolen for the first time in 1964 without being recovered.

In 1984, the statue's hand was cut off, adding to the list of vandalism incidents.

In 1998, a group of vandals cut off the head of the statue again, but it was later restored.

The monument was exposed to an explosion in 2003.

The statue has also been targeted several times with graffiti or paint, most recently in 2020 with the inscription “racist fish”.

In 2017, the statue was doused in red paint in a protest against whale hunting.

The Little Mermaid statue was vandalized again in 2023, with the Russian flag painted on its base, which is perceived as a sign of support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The police began an investigation into the 2023 incident, trying to find evidence and determine who was behind the vandalism.

The statue has been decapitated twice, and was knocked off its base with explosives in 2003, in addition to being doused in red paint in 2017 as a protest against whale hunting.

The motivations behind the repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue are not always clear, but they often appear to be related to political or social issues, such as the Ukrainian conflict or protests against whale hunting.

The statue's location next to a relatively secluded waterfront walkway has made it a target for vandals, with several incidents of burglary, explosions, and graffiti reported.

The Copenhagen police have launched investigations into the vandalism incidents, but it is unclear who was behind each incident or what their motivations were.

The repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue suggests that there may be underlying sociological and psychological factors contributing to these incidents, although the exact motivations behind each incident are not explicitly stated.

The fact that the statue has been targeted multiple times over the years, with different types of vandalism and damage, suggests that it may be a symbol of something that is being protested or challenged by the vandals.

The statue's significance as a cultural icon and symbol of Copenhagen, as well as its connection to the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, may also play a role in its repeated vandalism, although this is not explicitly stated in the available information.

Overall, the repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue is a complex issue that likely involves a combination of sociological and psychological factors, although more research and information would be needed to fully understand the underlying causes.

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen, has been targeted several times since it was installed in 1913.

Title:

Content: Unknown people draw Russian flag on a statue of a mermaid in Copenhagen
COPENHAGEN (AFP) - The iconic Little Mermaid statue in the Danish capital Copenhagen was vandalized on Wednesday night as unidentified people painted the Russian flag on its base.
Announcement
An AFP correspondent reported that the Russian flag was painted under unknown circumstances on the stone above which a statue of the Little Mermaid, inspired by the heroine of one of the stories of the writer Hans Christian Andersen, was installed.
Danish police said they were launching an investigation into the incident, without giving any indication of the source of the move, which shows clear support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A Copenhagen police spokesman told AFP: "We are investigating the area in order to find any evidence."
A small number of tourists in the area took pictures of the statue in the port of Copenhagen, which was vandalized on Thursday morning.
The Little Mermaid statue on a largely unfrequented promenade has been targeted several times since it was installed in 1913.
In 1964, the head of the nymph was stolen for the first time without being recovered.
In 1998, a group of vandals cut off the head of the statue again, but it was later restored.
This monument was exposed to the explosion in 2003.
The statue, created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen, has also been targeted several times with graffiti or graffiti, most recently in 2020 with the inscription “racist fish ”.

The head of the nymph was stolen for the first time in 1964 without being recovered.

In 1984, the statue's hand was cut off, adding to the list of vandalism incidents.

Title:

Content: Danish police investigate who “spoiled ” the famous monument to the Little Mermaid with the colors of the Russian flag
03.03.2023, 7: 15, Misc
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On the pedestal of the famous statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, a Russian tricolor appeared, says The Guardian.
The Danish police have launched an investigation into such an “act of vandalism ”, which is perceived as a sign of support in the Ukrainian conflict.
AP
In Copenhagen, unknown people painted the foundation of the statue of the Mermaid in Copenhagen in the colors of the Russian flag, writes The Guardian.
According to the publication, the tricolor appeared on Thursday night on the stone, which serves as a pedestal for the famous Danish monument.
The police in Copenhagen said that law enforcement officers visited the crime scene and registered an “act of vandalism ”.
The police began an investigation and are trying to find “evidence ”.
The actions of unknown persons are perceived as a sign of support for the Kremlin in the Ukrainian conflict.
The article notes that the statue of the Little Mermaid weighing 175 kg was created by sculptor Edward Eriksen, who was inspired by the main character of the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen.
The monument suffered from vandals many times: in 1964 her head was stolen, in 1984 her hand was cut off, in 1998 her head was stolen again, but later returned, and in 2003 the statue was blown up.
In addition, the Little Mermaid has been painted or signed many times.
The last time it happened in 2020, when it appeared the mysterious inscription “Racist fish ”, writes The Guardian.
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The monument was exposed to an explosion in 2003.

The statue has also been targeted several times with graffiti or paint, most recently in 2020 with the inscription “racist fish”.

In 2017, the statue was doused in red paint in a protest against whale hunting.

Title:

Content: Russian Flag Painted on Copenhagen's Most Famous Landmark

It's the latest in a long line of attacks on Little Mermaid statue
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 2, 2023 10:15 AM CST

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, one of Denmark's most famous landmarks, has been vandalized yet again, this time with the Russian flag. Authorities said Thursday that the white, blue, and red stripes of the Russian flag were painted on the stone the statue sits on, Reuters reports. Police said the vandalism was discovered early Thursday. "We are of course launching an investigation to find out who did it and when and how it happened," a police spokesman said, per Jyllands-Posten.

Denmark, like other European nations, has strongly criticized Russia's war against Ukraine. The small statue, a tribute to the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, sits off a waterfront promenade in the Danish capital. It has been vandalized many times since it was installed 110 years ago, AFP reports. It has been decapitated twice and was knocked off its base with explosives in 2003. In 2017, it was doused in red paint in a protest against whale hunting. In 2020, during worldwide protests after the death of George Floyd, the words "racist fish" were painted on the base, though Andersen scholars said they weren't aware of any racist elements in the fairy tale. (Read more The Little Mermaid stories.)

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The Little Mermaid statue was vandalized again in 2023, with the Russian flag painted on its base, which is perceived as a sign of support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The police began an investigation into the 2023 incident, trying to find evidence and determine who was behind the vandalism.

The statue has been decapitated twice, and was knocked off its base with explosives in 2003, in addition to being doused in red paint in 2017 as a protest against whale hunting.

The motivations behind the repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue are not always clear, but they often appear to be related to political or social issues, such as the Ukrainian conflict or protests against whale hunting.

The statue's location next to a relatively secluded waterfront walkway has made it a target for vandals, with several incidents of burglary, explosions, and graffiti reported.

Title:

Content: Danish little mermaid like cornerstone painted Russian flag tricolor
A statue of the Little Mermaid, one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the Danish capital Copenhagen, was deliberately vandalized last night, and the cornerstone below the statue was painted with the white, blue and red colors of the Russian flag.
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The Little Mermaid comes from the famous fairy tale of Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, where the stone beneath the bronze statue is painted in three colors of the Russian flag.
Copenhagen police told Agence France-Presse that since they arrived this morning, "a case of vandalism has been filed" and "local investigations have been launched to trace traces".
It is clear that this means supporting Moscow ’ s position in the Ukraine war.
Some tourists, puzzled by this, took pictures of the damaged statue this morning.
The 175-kilogram Little Mermaid is a work by sculptor Edvard Eriksen, inspired by the Danish poet and writer Hans Christian Andersen ’ s 1837 fairy tale of the same name.
The statue, which sits next to a relatively secluded waterfront walkway, has been vandalized several times over the years, including two burglaries of its head in 1964 and 1998, and a severed arm in 1984. In 2003, the statue was blown loose with explosives and fell into the bay.
It has also been graffitied and painted several times, most recently in 2020 with the words “racist fish. ”

The Copenhagen police have launched investigations into the vandalism incidents, but it is unclear who was behind each incident or what their motivations were.

The repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue suggests that there may be underlying sociological and psychological factors contributing to these incidents, although the exact motivations behind each incident are not explicitly stated.

The fact that the statue has been targeted multiple times over the years, with different types of vandalism and damage, suggests that it may be a symbol of something that is being protested or challenged by the vandals.

The statue's significance as a cultural icon and symbol of Copenhagen, as well as its connection to the fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, may also play a role in its repeated vandalism, although this is not explicitly stated in the available information.

Overall, the repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue is a complex issue that likely involves a combination of sociological and psychological factors, although more research and information would be needed to fully understand the underlying causes.


The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen has been targeted several times since its 1913 installation.

The head of the nymph was first stolen in 1964 and not recovered.

The statue's hand was cut off in 1984 in an act of vandalism.

The statue's head was cut off by vandals in 1998, but later restored.

The monument was exposed to an explosion in 2003.

The statue was vandalized in 2020 with "racist fish" graffiti.

The statue was doused in red paint in 2017 to protest whale hunting.

The Little Mermaid statue was vandalized in 2023 with a Russian flag painted on its base, amid the Ukraine war.

The police are investigating the 2023 vandalism incident.

The statue has been decapitated twice, blown off its base in 2003, and doused in red paint in 2017 to protest whale hunting.

The motivations behind the vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue are often related to political or social issues.

The statue's waterfront location has made it a target for vandals, with incidents of burglary, explosions, and graffiti reported.

The Copenhagen police are investigating vandalism incidents, but the perpetrators and their motivations are unknown.

The repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue suggests underlying sociological and psychological factors.

The statue's repeated vandalism suggests it is a symbol being protested or challenged.

The statue's cultural significance and connection to Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale may contribute to its repeated vandalism.

The repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue is a complex issue involving sociological and psychological factors that require further research to fully understand.

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen has been targeted several times since its 1913 installation.

Title:

Content: Unknown people draw Russian flag on a statue of a mermaid in Copenhagen
COPENHAGEN (AFP) - The iconic Little Mermaid statue in the Danish capital Copenhagen was vandalized on Wednesday night as unidentified people painted the Russian flag on its base.
Announcement
An AFP correspondent reported that the Russian flag was painted under unknown circumstances on the stone above which a statue of the Little Mermaid, inspired by the heroine of one of the stories of the writer Hans Christian Andersen, was installed.
Danish police said they were launching an investigation into the incident, without giving any indication of the source of the move, which shows clear support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A Copenhagen police spokesman told AFP: "We are investigating the area in order to find any evidence."
A small number of tourists in the area took pictures of the statue in the port of Copenhagen, which was vandalized on Thursday morning.
The Little Mermaid statue on a largely unfrequented promenade has been targeted several times since it was installed in 1913.
In 1964, the head of the nymph was stolen for the first time without being recovered.
In 1998, a group of vandals cut off the head of the statue again, but it was later restored.
This monument was exposed to the explosion in 2003.
The statue, created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen, has also been targeted several times with graffiti or graffiti, most recently in 2020 with the inscription “racist fish ”.

The head of the nymph was first stolen in 1964 and not recovered.

The statue's hand was cut off in 1984 in an act of vandalism.

Title:

Content: Danish police investigate who “spoiled ” the famous monument to the Little Mermaid with the colors of the Russian flag
03.03.2023, 7: 15, Misc
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On the pedestal of the famous statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, a Russian tricolor appeared, says The Guardian.
The Danish police have launched an investigation into such an “act of vandalism ”, which is perceived as a sign of support in the Ukrainian conflict.
AP
In Copenhagen, unknown people painted the foundation of the statue of the Mermaid in Copenhagen in the colors of the Russian flag, writes The Guardian.
According to the publication, the tricolor appeared on Thursday night on the stone, which serves as a pedestal for the famous Danish monument.
The police in Copenhagen said that law enforcement officers visited the crime scene and registered an “act of vandalism ”.
The police began an investigation and are trying to find “evidence ”.
The actions of unknown persons are perceived as a sign of support for the Kremlin in the Ukrainian conflict.
The article notes that the statue of the Little Mermaid weighing 175 kg was created by sculptor Edward Eriksen, who was inspired by the main character of the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen.
The monument suffered from vandals many times: in 1964 her head was stolen, in 1984 her hand was cut off, in 1998 her head was stolen again, but later returned, and in 2003 the statue was blown up.
In addition, the Little Mermaid has been painted or signed many times.
The last time it happened in 2020, when it appeared the mysterious inscription “Racist fish ”, writes The Guardian.
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The statue's head was cut off by vandals in 1998, but later restored.

The monument was exposed to an explosion in 2003.

The statue was vandalized in 2020 with "racist fish" graffiti.

The statue was doused in red paint in 2017 to protest whale hunting.

Title:

Content: Russian Flag Painted on Copenhagen's Most Famous Landmark

It's the latest in a long line of attacks on Little Mermaid statue
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 2, 2023 10:15 AM CST

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, one of Denmark's most famous landmarks, has been vandalized yet again, this time with the Russian flag. Authorities said Thursday that the white, blue, and red stripes of the Russian flag were painted on the stone the statue sits on, Reuters reports. Police said the vandalism was discovered early Thursday. "We are of course launching an investigation to find out who did it and when and how it happened," a police spokesman said, per Jyllands-Posten.

Denmark, like other European nations, has strongly criticized Russia's war against Ukraine. The small statue, a tribute to the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, sits off a waterfront promenade in the Danish capital. It has been vandalized many times since it was installed 110 years ago, AFP reports. It has been decapitated twice and was knocked off its base with explosives in 2003. In 2017, it was doused in red paint in a protest against whale hunting. In 2020, during worldwide protests after the death of George Floyd, the words "racist fish" were painted on the base, though Andersen scholars said they weren't aware of any racist elements in the fairy tale. (Read more The Little Mermaid stories.)

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The Little Mermaid statue was vandalized in 2023 with a Russian flag painted on its base, amid the Ukraine war.

The police are investigating the 2023 vandalism incident.

The statue has been decapitated twice, blown off its base in 2003, and doused in red paint in 2017 to protest whale hunting.

The motivations behind the vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue are often related to political or social issues.

The statue's waterfront location has made it a target for vandals, with incidents of burglary, explosions, and graffiti reported.

Title:

Content: Danish little mermaid like cornerstone painted Russian flag tricolor
A statue of the Little Mermaid, one of the most iconic tourist attractions in the Danish capital Copenhagen, was deliberately vandalized last night, and the cornerstone below the statue was painted with the white, blue and red colors of the Russian flag.
Advertisement
The Little Mermaid comes from the famous fairy tale of Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, where the stone beneath the bronze statue is painted in three colors of the Russian flag.
Copenhagen police told Agence France-Presse that since they arrived this morning, "a case of vandalism has been filed" and "local investigations have been launched to trace traces".
It is clear that this means supporting Moscow ’ s position in the Ukraine war.
Some tourists, puzzled by this, took pictures of the damaged statue this morning.
The 175-kilogram Little Mermaid is a work by sculptor Edvard Eriksen, inspired by the Danish poet and writer Hans Christian Andersen ’ s 1837 fairy tale of the same name.
The statue, which sits next to a relatively secluded waterfront walkway, has been vandalized several times over the years, including two burglaries of its head in 1964 and 1998, and a severed arm in 1984. In 2003, the statue was blown loose with explosives and fell into the bay.
It has also been graffitied and painted several times, most recently in 2020 with the words “racist fish. ”

The Copenhagen police are investigating vandalism incidents, but the perpetrators and their motivations are unknown.

The repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue suggests underlying sociological and psychological factors.

The statue's repeated vandalism suggests it is a symbol being protested or challenged.

The statue's cultural significance and connection to Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale may contribute to its repeated vandalism.

The repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue is a complex issue involving sociological and psychological factors that require further research to fully understand.


The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen, has been targeted several times since it was installed in 1913.

The first incident of vandalism occurred in 1964, when the head of the nymph was stolen without being recovered.

In 1984, the statue's hand was cut off, adding to the list of vandalism incidents.

The statue was also decapitated again in 1998, but the head was later restored.

In 2003, the statue was blown up with explosives, causing it to fall into the bay.

The statue has been targeted with graffiti or paint several times, including in 2017 when it was doused in red paint as a protest against whale hunting.

In 2020, the words "racist fish" were painted on the base of the statue, although Andersen scholars said they weren't aware of any racist elements in the fairy tale.

The most recent incident of vandalism occurred in 2023, when the Russian flag was painted on the stone base of the statue, which is perceived as a sign of support for Russia in the Ukrainian conflict.

The police in Copenhagen have launched an investigation into the 2023 incident, trying to find evidence and determine who was behind the vandalism.

The motivations behind each incident of vandalism against the Little Mermaid statue vary, but they often relate to broader social and political contexts, such as the Ukrainian conflict and global protests against racism and whale hunting.

The repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue highlights the need for increased security and protection of cultural landmarks, as well as a greater understanding of the motivations and ideologies behind such acts.

The story behind each incident of vandalism against the Little Mermaid statue is complex and multifaceted, and requires a nuanced understanding of the social and political context in which they occurred.

The Copenhagen police have been involved in investigating these incidents, but the search results do not provide information on the specific measures taken by the Danish authorities and the Copenhagen police to prevent future incidents of vandalism and protect the Little Mermaid statue.

The repeated incidents of vandalism have not been effectively prevented, as the statue continues to be targeted, with the most recent incident occurring in 2023, suggesting that the measures in place have not been sufficient to deter vandals.

The lack of information on the effectiveness of the measures taken by the authorities and the police makes it difficult to assess their impact, but it is clear that the Little Mermaid statue remains a vulnerable target for vandals.

The search results do not provide information on any new or improved measures that have been implemented to protect the statue, leaving the question of how to effectively prevent future incidents of vandalism unanswered.

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen, has been targeted several times since it was installed in 1913.

Title:

Content: Unknown people draw Russian flag on a statue of a mermaid in Copenhagen
COPENHAGEN (AFP) - The iconic Little Mermaid statue in the Danish capital Copenhagen was vandalized on Wednesday night as unidentified people painted the Russian flag on its base.
Announcement
An AFP correspondent reported that the Russian flag was painted under unknown circumstances on the stone above which a statue of the Little Mermaid, inspired by the heroine of one of the stories of the writer Hans Christian Andersen, was installed.
Danish police said they were launching an investigation into the incident, without giving any indication of the source of the move, which shows clear support for Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine.
A Copenhagen police spokesman told AFP: "We are investigating the area in order to find any evidence."
A small number of tourists in the area took pictures of the statue in the port of Copenhagen, which was vandalized on Thursday morning.
The Little Mermaid statue on a largely unfrequented promenade has been targeted several times since it was installed in 1913.
In 1964, the head of the nymph was stolen for the first time without being recovered.
In 1998, a group of vandals cut off the head of the statue again, but it was later restored.
This monument was exposed to the explosion in 2003.
The statue, created by Danish sculptor Edvard Eriksen, has also been targeted several times with graffiti or graffiti, most recently in 2020 with the inscription “racist fish ”.

The first incident of vandalism occurred in 1964, when the head of the nymph was stolen without being recovered.

In 1984, the statue's hand was cut off, adding to the list of vandalism incidents.

Title:

Content: Danish police investigate who “spoiled ” the famous monument to the Little Mermaid with the colors of the Russian flag
03.03.2023, 7: 15, Misc
Subscribe to Telegram channel
Subscribe to Google News
Support at Patreon
On the pedestal of the famous statue of the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, a Russian tricolor appeared, says The Guardian.
The Danish police have launched an investigation into such an “act of vandalism ”, which is perceived as a sign of support in the Ukrainian conflict.
AP
In Copenhagen, unknown people painted the foundation of the statue of the Mermaid in Copenhagen in the colors of the Russian flag, writes The Guardian.
According to the publication, the tricolor appeared on Thursday night on the stone, which serves as a pedestal for the famous Danish monument.
The police in Copenhagen said that law enforcement officers visited the crime scene and registered an “act of vandalism ”.
The police began an investigation and are trying to find “evidence ”.
The actions of unknown persons are perceived as a sign of support for the Kremlin in the Ukrainian conflict.
The article notes that the statue of the Little Mermaid weighing 175 kg was created by sculptor Edward Eriksen, who was inspired by the main character of the fairy tale of the same name by Hans Christian Andersen.
The monument suffered from vandals many times: in 1964 her head was stolen, in 1984 her hand was cut off, in 1998 her head was stolen again, but later returned, and in 2003 the statue was blown up.
In addition, the Little Mermaid has been painted or signed many times.
The last time it happened in 2020, when it appeared the mysterious inscription “Racist fish ”, writes The Guardian.
View commentsNo comments
Privacy Policy - GDPR
Site map →
For information cooperation, advertising and publication of ads, write to the address: [email protected]
Support the project:
UMoney- 410011013132383
WebMoney – Z399334682366, E296477880853, X100503068090
18 + © 2002-2022 RYBINSKonLine: All you wanted to know...

The statue was also decapitated again in 1998, but the head was later restored.

In 2003, the statue was blown up with explosives, causing it to fall into the bay.

Title:

Content: Russian Flag Painted on Copenhagen's Most Famous Landmark

It's the latest in a long line of attacks on Little Mermaid statue
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 2, 2023 10:15 AM CST

The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, one of Denmark's most famous landmarks, has been vandalized yet again, this time with the Russian flag. Authorities said Thursday that the white, blue, and red stripes of the Russian flag were painted on the stone the statue sits on, Reuters reports. Police said the vandalism was discovered early Thursday. "We are of course launching an investigation to find out who did it and when and how it happened," a police spokesman said, per Jyllands-Posten.

Denmark, like other European nations, has strongly criticized Russia's war against Ukraine. The small statue, a tribute to the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, sits off a waterfront promenade in the Danish capital. It has been vandalized many times since it was installed 110 years ago, AFP reports. It has been decapitated twice and was knocked off its base with explosives in 2003. In 2017, it was doused in red paint in a protest against whale hunting. In 2020, during worldwide protests after the death of George Floyd, the words "racist fish" were painted on the base, though Andersen scholars said they weren't aware of any racist elements in the fairy tale. (Read more The Little Mermaid stories.)

We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy.
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X

The statue has been targeted with graffiti or paint several times, including in 2017 when it was doused in red paint as a protest against whale hunting.

In 2020, the words "racist fish" were painted on the base of the statue, although Andersen scholars said they weren't aware of any racist elements in the fairy tale.

The most recent incident of vandalism occurred in 2023, when the Russian flag was painted on the stone base of the statue, which is perceived as a sign of support for Russia in the Ukrainian conflict.

The police in Copenhagen have launched an investigation into the 2023 incident, trying to find evidence and determine who was behind the vandalism.

The motivations behind each incident of vandalism against the Little Mermaid statue vary, but they often relate to broader social and political contexts, such as the Ukrainian conflict and global protests against racism and whale hunting.

The repeated vandalism of the Little Mermaid statue highlights the need for increased security and protection of cultural landmarks, as well as a greater understanding of the motivations and ideologies behind such acts.

The story behind each incident of vandalism against the Little Mermaid statue is complex and multifaceted, and requires a nuanced understanding of the social and political context in which they occurred.

The Copenhagen police have been involved in investigating these incidents, but the search results do not provide information on the specific measures taken by the Danish authorities and the Copenhagen police to prevent future incidents of vandalism and protect the Little Mermaid statue.

The repeated incidents of vandalism have not been effectively prevented, as the statue continues to be targeted, with the most recent incident occurring in 2023, suggesting that the measures in place have not been sufficient to deter vandals.

The lack of information on the effectiveness of the measures taken by the authorities and the police makes it difficult to assess their impact, but it is clear that the Little Mermaid statue remains a vulnerable target for vandals.

The search results do not provide information on any new or improved measures that have been implemented to protect the statue, leaving the question of how to effectively prevent future incidents of vandalism unanswered.