As of: February 29, 2024, 4:15 p.m
By: Moritz Bletzinger
Comments
Press
Split
The statue is called “Make a Difference.”
The students probably took this to heart - but not in the way the university had imagined.
Winchester - In March 2021, the University of Winchester made a statement - in the form of a life-size bronze statue of Greta Thunberg.
The statue, which was prominently placed in front of the main entrance, depicts the young climate activist with a raised index finger. However, the statue caused dissatisfaction among the students and was consequently moved to a remote courtyard.
Expensive statue of Greta Thunberg erected – students accuse university of wasting money
The students had been protesting against the bronze statue for about a year, the
Daily Mail
reported.
They accused the university of wasting money and “greenwashing.”
The university spent £24,000 on the Greta statue - money that students said could have been put to better use.
Most students obviously have nothing against the person: But they are very angry at their university because of this statue of Greta Thunberg.
© Andrew Matthews/picture alliance/dpa/PA Wire
The students apparently took out their frustration directly on the statue.
It was said that she had repeatedly become a “target for anti-social behavior”.
It was removed in July 2023.
Now she is back on campus - albeit in a new location.
It is now hidden in a secluded courtyard.
Officially, the statue was repositioned to give it a sturdier base.
A university spokesperson told the
Hampshire Chronicle
: “As previously reported, the statue was removed for repairs and placed as planned in the West Downs courtyard garden, where it can still be seen and enjoyed by the public along with the other works of art found there .”
University moves unpopular Greta Thunberg statue into inner courtyard – university spokesman comments
In the past, locals had also wondered about the Greta statue.
They couldn't see any connection to the idyllic town of Winchester.
Others were surprised that such a young woman would receive a statue.
Greta Thunberg didn't graduate until the summer of 2023.
My news
Sensational find in Austria: Farmer comes across a secret passage under his farm - authorities reactread
Avalanche alarm: Italy evacuates valley – read curfew for residents
1 hour ago
Lawyer reveals Josef Fritzlllesen's last wish
Six correct numbers and still no lottery jackpot: pair is left empty-handed due to an error
Eruption overdue: Supervolcano in Italy swells, steams heavily and spits out more gas
Danger of rock falls at a tourist hotspot in the Alps: Unusual measure for mountain lake hut readers
Some don't believe the university, saying the new location was chosen purely for practical reasons.
“Apparently it has been scrapped because it is unpopular and a waste of money – the next step is to melt it down,” the
Daily Mail
quoted an online comment as saying.
Another local wrote: “What a silly, transparent statement.”
Greta Thunberg herself caused a stir in November 2023 when she expressed pro-Palestinian views at a climate demonstration.
(moe/sp)
The editor wrote this article and then used an AI language model for optimization at his own discretion. All information has been carefully checked.
Find out more about our AI principles here.