| 
|
Page: Profile: Wren's Nest News Local
| Total Views: 4,942,363
|
Article: 17657
[Art/Music/lit]
Date Posted:
4/14/2007
10:25:24 pm EDT
Wvox Stats
Views: 6,393
RSS: 16,924
Comments: 4
|
Get Your Hands Off Our Pagan Statue
Author: Henry McDonald Source: The Observer
Title: GET YOUR HANDS OFF OUR PAGAN STATUE
People living near a pagan statue that draws thousands of tourists every year to Northern Ireland's lakelands are threatening a campaign of civil disobedience amid concerns it could be moved to Belfast.
The Janus, which has stood in the Caldragh graveyard on Boa Island in Co Fermanagh since it was put up by the Celts more than 2,000 years ago, inspired the Nobel prize-winning poet Seamus Heaney to write the poem, 'January God'. Locals hold the 2ft tall figure, depicting a man on one side and a female on the other, in awe.
But now rumours are circling that the statue may be moved to the Ulster Museum for its own protection. Opponents say it would be like moving Stonehenge to London.
| Options: [Read Full Story] [Comments Locked]
[Email to a Friend]
|
|
Community Thoughts: There are 4 comments posted | Reverse Sort |
| Integrity Of Context | Apr 15th. at 8:20:57 am EDT
|
Raithaa (Cambridge, Massachusetts) - Email Me
When somebody proposes the physical removal or movement of a historic monument like this in the US, careful consideration is given. The National Register of Historic Places (part of the National Park Service) use specific criteria by which to evaluate properties, sites and monuments. Among those criteria is "Integrity." While "integrity" might be considered a very subjective and squishy term (makes lawyers squirm) , the NPS lists seven dimensions of "Integrity:" location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling,and association.
Location -- "Location" refers to "the place where the historic property was constructed or the place where the historic event occurred." By removing the statue from its current site, its integrity of location is jeopardized. The relationship between the statue and its location, and all of the historic events that may have occured there for the past 2,000 years, will be destroyed if the monument is moved.
Design -- "Design" refers to "the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space, structure, and style of a property." The overall design of the site itself would be compromised should the statue be removed. The design of the cemetary around the monument tells a story about the development in this place for the past 2,000 years.
Setting -- "Setting" is "the physical environment of a historic property."Talk about "taken out of context!" If the statue were placed in a Belfast museum, it could no longer be viewed within its original setting: green grass, ancient graves, fresh air, etc. Likewise, the physical environment of the site itself would suffer if the statue were removed.
Materials -- "Materials" is the dimension that refers to "the physical elements that were combined or deposited during a particular period of time and in a particular pattern or configuration to form a historic property." Perhaps less relevent to this particular case, but it could be argued that if you view the graveyard site as a whole, removing the monument would be tantamount to removing important historic material from the site, thus compromising its integrity that way.
Worksmanship -- "Workmanship" refers to "the physical evidence of the crafts of a particular culture or people during any given period in history or prehistory." Again, a dimension of Integrity not as relevent to this case as some of the others, but like "Materials," the accumulated worhmanship that went into developing the site over the past 2,000 years would be compromised by removing the statue.
Feeling -- "Feeling" is "a property's expression of the aesthetic or historic sense of a particular period of time." Nobody can deny that the site simply would not "feel" the same if the monument were gone. The aestheic and historic apperance of the site would be destroyed.
Association -- "Association" is "the direct link between an important historic event or person and a historic property." The site is associated with two groups: those who made the monument (and, presumably, performed other activigties there) , and those who buried their dead there in the years following. Removing the statue distrurbs the association with the first group. The nattative of the site would thus be rendered incomplete.
The way I see it, there is only one truly valid reason for removing the monument from its current location: if it is, as conservators say, in such a state of decay that the only way to ensure its continued existance is to take it indoors. As part of mitigation, perhaps a well-made replica of the statue could be made and put in its place. Unobtrusive interpretive signage would have to be installed to let tourists know that it's not the original, of course. And that the original is in some museum in Belfast.
But heck, it survived the first 2,000 years out in the elements! Perhaps conservators could treat it, in situ, with a protectice seal?
|
| Hmm... | Apr 14th. at 11:28:27 pm EDT
|
Arachne Priestess (Cookeville, Tennessee) - Email Me
I love the statement that said replacing the janus was like replacing it with a celtic version of a plastic gnome. Hehehe.
But seriously, there are two sides to this prediciment. One side would be those that wish to preserve a valuable piece of heritage for the Irish/Celtic peoples. It is a beautiful piece of history tha should be preserved.
The other side to this would be those that flock to see it year in and year out. There is the town's tourism base to think about, as well as, the job market in the area. Taking such a thing away might be a real detriment to the community.
Now the idea of placing it in protective glass has merit. Because while both sides have just cause, the statue is still open to elements which may cause it to deteriorate further. So it should be protected, even if its just behind a protective glass shield.
|
Disclaimer: The Witches' Voice inc does not verify the accuracy of the details stated in this listing, nor do we vouch for the value of the goods or services presented here... As with all contacts and financial dealings in cyberspace, we encourage you to use caution and wisdom in your dealings with strangers.
Political Statements: Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren's Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches' Voice, Inc. TWV is a non-profit, non-partisan educational organization.
|
State/Country flags created by 3dflags.com and are used with permission
Web Site Content (including: text - graphics - html - look & feel)
Copyright 1997-2009 The Witches' Voice Inc. All rights reserved
Note: Authors & Artists retain the copyright for their work(s) on this website.
Unauthorized reproduction without prior permission is a violation of copyright laws.
Website structure, evolution and php coding by Fritz Jung on a Macintosh G5.
Any and all personal political opinions expressed in the public listing sections (including, but not restricted to, personals, events, groups, shops, Wren’s Nest, etc.) are solely those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinion of The Witches’ Voice, Inc. TWV is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization.
Sponsorship: Visit the Witches' Voice Sponsor Page for info on how you
can help support this Community Resource. Donations ARE Tax Deductible.
The Witches' Voice carries a 501(c)(3) certificate and a Federal Tax ID.
Mail Us: The Witches' Voice Inc., P.O. Box 341018, Tampa, Florida 33694-1018 U.S.A.
| |
