Bob Marley is working his reggae magic in Eastern Europe as he has recently become a new figure for tolerance in the war-struck country.
Recently, statues of western pop culture figures are emerging as inspirational symbols across eastern Europe. The latest is in Serbia, where a giant Bob Marley statue was unveiled this weekend. The stone monument is meant to act as a national symbol for tolerance.
The monument, which Reuters called, "Europe's first statue to the late Jamaican reggae star Bob Marley," was created by two musicians, one from Croatia, one from Serbia.
"Bob Marley promoted peace and tolerance in his music," one organizer said.
The stone-carved Rastafarian singer joins Bruce Lee in Mostar, Bosnia and Rocky Balboa in northern Serbia.
The reason?
"Following the break-up of the former Yugoslavia and the bloodshed of the 1990s, people can rarely agree on their role models and prefer figures not linked to the region," Reuters explains.
Makes sense, but I must say, it's been a very interesting choice of who they cast in stone. It will be interesting to see if any female heroines join the mix.
Western Icons Inspiring Eastern Europe
Serbia Erects Bob Marley Statue
Trend Themes
1. Statues of Western Pop Culture Figures - There is a trend of erecting statues of popular western culture figures in Eastern Europe as symbols of inspiration and tolerance.
2. National Symbols for Tolerance - The creation of statues as national symbols for tolerance is a growing trend in Eastern Europe, with the Bob Marley statue in Serbia being Europe's first.
3. Preference for Non-regional Role Models - Following the bloodshed of the 1990s in the former Yugoslavia, there is a trend of Eastern Europeans preferring role models who are not linked to the region.
Industry Implications
1. Cultural Tourism - The emergence of statues of pop culture figures as tourist attractions can create opportunities for cultural tourism in Eastern Europe.
2. Sculpture and Monument Design - The demand for statues as symbols of inspiration and tolerance creates opportunities for artists and designers specializing in sculpture and monument design.
3. Cross-cultural Exchange - The trend of celebrating western pop culture figures in Eastern Europe provides opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and collaboration between artists and musicians.