Latest news with #Bech
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Denmark to remove 'pornographic' mermaid statue because 'breasts are too big'
The Big Mermaid was moved from its original location due to complaints from locals about the "fake and vulgar" statue that has attracted criticism over the size of its breasts Danish officials are set to remove a "pornographic" mermaid statue due to her breasts appearing to be too large. The Danish agency for palaces and culture is reportedly preparing to remove the 4x6 metre Big Mermaid from Dragør Fort, in the greater Copenhagen area, as it does not match the cultural heritage of the iconic 1910 state. The Big Mermaid was unveiled at the Langelinie Pier in Copenhagen, close to the Little Mermaid landmark. It was removed in 2018 following complaints from locals who branded it "the fake and vulgar mermaid." It was later moved to Dragør Fort until the Danish agency for palaces and culture intervened earlier this year and demanded its removal. It comes after news that an abandoned UK Butlin's site is now seaside town's 'hell hole' hotel. Art critic Mathias Kryger called the statue "ugly and pornographic," reports the Guardian. Sorine Gotfredsen, a priest and journalist, said in the Danish outlet Berlingske: "Erecting a statue of a man's hot dream of what a woman should look like is unlikely to promote many women's acceptance of their own bodies." She continued: "It's truly uplifting that many find the statue vulgar, unpoetic, and undesirable, because we're suffocating in overbearing bodies in public space." The artist behind the 14-tonne statue said he does not understand the criticism levelled against it and said its breasts are "of a proportional size" to its scale. Others noted criticisms reflect society's attitude toward women's bodies in general. Aminata Corr Throne, the debate editor of Berlingske, the scrutiny of the mermaid's breasts was akin to body shaming. She said: "Do naked female breasts have to have a specific academic shape and size to be allowed to appear in public?" While the Big Mermaid mermaid was less naked than her bronze counterpart, Corr Throne continued: "On the other hand, she has bigger breasts, and that's probably where the problem lies. "Perhaps the two statues – the Big and the Little Mermaid – represent two sides of woman, and the eternal tug of war about what a real woman is. And perhaps even what a wrong woman is." Dragør chair of the climate, urban and business committee, told the outlet that despite Bech's offer to donate it as a gift "it's just hard to fit it in. It takes up a lot of space." Bech said he created the statue in response to tourists stating the Little Mermaid was too small. He claims people in Dragør that they love the sculpture and that he is hoping to find a way to keep it in the town.
Irish Examiner
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Denmark to remove 'ugly and pornographic' mermaid statue, reports say
A debate has erupted in Denmark over the fate of a mermaid statue that is to be removed from public view after being decried as 'ugly and pornographic' and 'a man's hot dream of what a woman should look like'. The Danish agency for palaces and culture is reportedly removing the 4x6 metre Den Store Havfrue (the Big Mermaid) from Dragør Fort, part of Copenhagen's former sea fortifications, because it does not align with the cultural heritage of the 1910 landmark. Mathias Kryger, the art critic for Danish paper Politiken, has branded the statue 'ugly and pornographic'. Sorine Gotfredsen, a priest and journalist, wrote in the newspaper Berlingske: 'Erecting a statue of a man's hot dream of what a woman should look like is unlikely to promote many women's acceptance of their own bodies.' She added: 'It's truly uplifting that many find the statue vulgar, unpoetic, and undesirable, because we're suffocating in overbearing bodies in public space.' The man behind the 14-tonne sculpture, Peter Bech, has said he does not understand the criticism, saying that the stone figure's breasts are simply 'of a proportional size' to its scale. The 4x6 metre Den Store Havfrue, aka the Big Mermaid, was designed by Peter Bech. Others have said the criticism reflects society's attitudes to women's bodies more generally — and not in a good way. For Aminata Corr Thrane, Berlingske's debate editor, the scrutiny of the mermaid's breasts was tantamount to body shaming. 'Do naked female breasts have to have a specific academic shape and size to be allowed to appear in public?' she wrote. Noting that the Big Mermaid was 'arguably a bit less naked' than her famed petite contemporary in bronze and granite, the Little Mermaid, Corr Thrane added: 'On the other hand, she has bigger breasts, and that's probably where the problem lies.' She added: 'Perhaps the two statues — the Big and the Little Mermaid — represent two sides of woman, and the eternal tug of war about what a real woman is. And perhaps even what a wrong woman is.' In 2006, the Big Mermaid was erected at Langelinie Pier in Copenhagen, near the Little Mermaid. But it was removed in 2018 after locals denounced it as 'the fake and vulgar mermaid'. The Little Mermaid statue in Copenhagen, Denmark. File picture: ERIC BARADAT/AFP/Getty Images It was subsequently moved to Dragør Fort, until the Danish agency for palaces and culture intervened in March, requesting its removal. Dragør municipality has since reportedly declined Bech's offer of donating it as a gift. Helle Barth, chair of Dragør muncipality's climate, urban and business committee, told Berlingske that although it was a nice offer, 'it's just hard to fit in. It takes up a lot of space.' Mr Bech, who has said he made the statue in response to tourists' comments that the Little Mermaid — inspired by the Hans Christian Andersen fairytale — was too small, has said he is often told by people in Dragør that they love his sculpture. He is hoping to find a way to keep it in the town. The Danish agency for palaces and culture declined to comment. The Guardian
Euronews
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Euronews
Denmark to axe Copenhagen's 'ugly and pornographic' mermaid statue
Plans to remove a statue of a mermaid in Denmark from a historical landmark have sparked debate, with the busty sculpture criticised as "ugly and pornographic". The granite 14-tonne Den Store Havfrue (the Big Mermaid) is to be removed from Dragør Fort, part of Copenhagen's old sea fortifications, according to local media. The Danish Palaces and Culture Agency reportedly made the decision because the statue does not "fit into the cultural-historical environment" of the 1910 landmark. Mathias Kryger, art critic for the Danish paper Politiken, told local media that the statue was "ugly and pornographic". Writing in the newspaper Berlingske, another journalist, Sørine Gotfredsen, said many people found the statue "vulgar, unpoetic and undesirable". However, the man who commissioned the statue, Peter Bech, said it was a boon for the Dragør area and attracted visitors. He described the criticism as "pure nonsense". "The mermaid has completely normal proportions in relation to her size. Of course the breasts are big on a big woman," Bech told Danish broadcaster TV 2 Kosmopol. Municipal politician Paw Karslund echoed that view. "I simply think the argument that the statue should be ugly and pornographic is too primitive," he told the outlet last week. "We shouldn't be so afraid of a pair of breasts." Bech has said he wants to find a way to keep the statue in the area, while Karslund has called for it to be moved to a permanent fixture in the nearby Tårnby Strandpark. The Big Mermaid was first installed at Langelinie Pier in Copenhagen, near the Little Mermaid, in 2006. But it was removed in 2018 and relocated to Dragør — some 15 kilometres south of the Danish capital — reportedly after criticism from local residents. The famed statue of Hans Christian Andersen's Little Mermaid, one of Copenhagen's biggest tourist attractions, has repeatedly been vandalised in recent years. The mermaid has been blown off her perch, covered in paint and political slogans, and even beheaded. In 2023, the installation of a mermaid sculpture called Il Mare (The Sea) in the small fishing town of Monopoli in Italy's Puglia region drew criticism for being "too provocative".
Scotsman
25-07-2025
- Sport
- Scotsman
Hibs Euro opponents ready to 'play against 20,000' at Easter Road
Midtjylland star impressed with away fans - and ready for more in Edinburgh Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Midtjylland have been warned to expect an even more intense battle from Hibs in front of a packed Easter Road next week, as Danish skipper Mads Bech prepares his men for a daunting return leg in their Europa League second qualifying round tie. But Bech, who said the home side failed to match up to the fire of David Gray's team in last night's pulsating 1-1 draw at the MCH Arena, believes Midtjylland's quality will be enough to progress to a third qualifying round tie against Norwegian side Fredrikstad. Not sure why the home side seemed so caught off guard by a fast start from Hibs, the centre-half admitted: 'It's a good question. I'm not sure what made the difference there, but there's no doubt we were not ready for the physicality, the direct play, the duels. We were just not on the front foot at all. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'And that can't happen again, especially because we're playing away against 20,000. So it will only be a bigger pressure, and it will be easier for them. 'I think this was a good lesson. We need to be ready, even though we play at home. 'The away crowd did well, our crowd did well too, but then we know away against 20,000 it will be even tougher. So when the first whistle goes next week, we need to be there, we need to be ready. It's not up for discussion. 'For us, this was frustrating. Especially the first ten minutes, not good enough. Nowhere near good enough. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's a shame we had a bad start, but I guess it was more or less the perfect game picture for Hibernian. Get a good start, get a goal and then be able to defend away. So of course we are disappointed, but we need to bring in more quality on the last third. 'I guess we were surprised, but we knew they were coming with a lot of physicality, direct play. It's something we were prepared for, but it didn't look like it on the pitch, which is not good enough.' Captain in 'shxx happens' comment on goal conceded Asked if goalkeeper Jonas Lossl had been disappointed to be beaten by Jamie McGrath's cheeky early free-kick, Bech said: 'Yes, I guess so. Football is mistakes. Things happen, but we stick together as a team. We support everyone. 'Shxx happens, but of course that's frustrating when it happens. But we managed to get back, get a 1-1. It's not a disaster, but it's not optimal.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Former Brentford defender Bech picked up on the visitors' delaying tactics in a game that nearly boiled over late on, saying: 'Yes, that worked. It took a long time. It started early, of course. It is frustrating. We wanted to keep the tempo high in the game, we wanted to start the ball quick. 'Of course, they are experienced, they know how to waste the time and be clever. It's well done by them, so of course it's frustrating. But at the end of the day, it's not up to the players to handle that, it's up to the referees. 'We need to be able to control it (the frustration). I think it was okay today, it wasn't too bad. I know there was an incident at the end, but we were going for another goal. We were trying to push it and sometimes you need a bit of frustration to come out. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I know the quality we have, I know our offensive players can make a difference. I know when they get into the dangerous positions, they have more quality than they showed today. So I'm still optimistic.'
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Raiders Called Out for 'Head-Scratching' Draft Pick
The Las Vegas Raiders have been praised at length for their performance in the 2025 NFL Draft. Many felt that new general manager John Spytek and head coach Pete Carroll landed the perfect blend of Week 1 starters, solid depth pieces and players with elite traits who have plenty of upside to tap into. While the roster still needs tons of work, it is massively improved from last year's four-win team. The Raiders may not be a serious contender this season, but the new regime in Las Vegas is building the franchise the right way and positioning itself for a run in the coming years. Las Vegas Raiders WR Jack Bech (18).Andrew Dieb-Imagn Images Not every pick in the draft was considered a homerun, however. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler asserted that the Raiders' selection of TCU wideout Jack Bech in the second round was the most head-scratching move of the draft. Advertisement "Bech has the ball skills and competitiveness to make a quick impact on the Las Vegas offense, and the Raiders had a solid draft in Spytek's first year at the helm," Fowler wrote. "But several scouts from around the league -- even ones that really like Bech -- felt the second round was a bit high and the third round might have been a more sensible range." At the end of the day, it only really matters what the Las Vegas brass thought about Bech if they are the team that is selecting him. Besides the point is the fact that Bech was taken with the No. 58 pick, which is the end of the second round and just a few spots from the third round anyway. Based on his track record and toughness, everything that Las Vegas wants out of Bech should come to fruition. Bech has a great chance to be a Week 1 starter for the Raiders, and if he can produce as a rookie, all doubters of this pick will be silenced. Related: Maxx Crosby Makes Personal Announcement on Monday Related: Raiders Hire Two-Time Super Bowl-Winning Exec to Key Front Office Role
