Читать книгу Legend of the Peeing briton - Павел Тюрин - Страница 22

Some people were keen to exploit this insane popularity of the ‘Peeing Briton’ sculpture and in the souvenir market in Riga disgusting fakes started to appear from nowhere. These quick cheapies were produced by the unscrupulous hacks in the best case, or more precisely by the enemies of the new Movement. And as if that’s not enough, the most prominent element of ‘the Briton’ is made disproportionally little. With them it is hardly even noticeable any more! All right! Let it be so! But let us ask who needs this naturalism that has been long since condemned by the rules of aesthetics?! Is it ethical to pedal this feature of his with such tactlessness?! It is simply not nice! Besides, remember the poet said: All the obscene world’s truths are not to us as dear as the exalting lies.[52] Frankly speaking, this should be seen as an attempt to discredit not only the favourite of all the tourists, but an attempt to mar the Movement as a whole and lower the significance of the peeing Briton.

It is little wonder, that equally disgusting types are in abundance among the unscrupulous merchants: those who don’t only cover up the sloppy handy crafts, but even doubt the very fact of the heroic deed (no question they do it in line with someone else’s will). Thus they try to convince the gullible tourists that the policemen that captured Dick near the Monument of Freedom conspired with him; they say that there was nothing heroic in his act. They hint that Richard knew in advance that Latvian authorities will reprimand him just for show, but as he would be leaving they would chase after him and apologise for their Euro-incorrectness by saying that the policemen hired from the underdeveloped Latgale didn’t understand him correctly. But who’s going to listen to this slander?!

Naturally, insults like these will be answered accordingly! Richard’s most devoted allies already have a plan to create such a statue so nobody would ever doubt the manliness and sexual attractiveness of our hero. In the interviews they gave to the journalists, the enthusiasts said: ‘And then all will see how it will raise his score!’[53] Laughing, the perky girls from the Čaka and Lačpleša streets chimed in: ‘Oh, don’t you worry, we can raise anybody’s score!’ [54]