http://www.flandersnews.be/cm/de.redactie.english/news/080412_Koksijde_Boel
Much ado about a paper statue
(Belga)
Sat 12/04/08 - Once again, Delphine Bo=EBl, the illegitimate daughter of
King Albert is at the centre of media attention. Days after the
publication of her book in which she openly discusses her troubled
relation****p with her father, it is now one of her statues that is
causing a fuss.
Made of papier-m=E2ch=E9, "The royal sacred four-legged monster"
represents a bed at the far end of which a crowned pig and cow are
sitting.
The statue is one of Ms Bo=EBl's earlier works and dates back to the
period when most of her work was centred on the ridicule of Belgium
and the Belgian royal institutions as a whole.
Acquired by the seaside town of Koksijde in 2004, it was given a
prominent position in the town hall.
(Belga)
In view of an official visit by Princess Astrid (photo), daughter to
King Albert and Queen Paola and also half-sister of Ms Bo=EBl, to the
town of Koksijde next week, the town council decided to move the
statue to a more inconspicuous spot.
According to burgomaster Marc Vanden Bussche (Flemish liberal) the
decision to do so was solely taken by the town council. He strongly
denies that there was any pressure whatsoever from the Palace in
Brussels.
"The Palace had nothing to do with this. It was our own decision. We
were just in need of some extra space."
"And after all, when your new girl friend comes to dinner, you also
discreetly remove the pictures of the old one, don't you", he explains
smilingly.
"Ridiculous"
Jan Loones, Flemish nationalist and alderman for Culture in Koksijde
has a different view on things.
He believes the town council suc***bed under the pressure of the local
Queen Elisabeth rehabilitation clinic which next week celebrates its
50th anniversary and still has strong ties with the royal family.
"It is plain obvious the royal family is behind this. The work dates
from a period when Ms Bo=EBl was very critical of her native country.
Let's be honest, our town hall is a very big one. There was plenty of
space to receive the Princess without having to move the statue to a
dark corner."
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