{"id":148833,"date":"2022-01-03T22:36:01","date_gmt":"2022-01-03T22:36:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=148833"},"modified":"2022-01-03T22:36:01","modified_gmt":"2022-01-03T22:36:01","slug":"penis-like-potato-statue-toppled-two-months-after-erection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/penis-like-potato-statue-toppled-two-months-after-erection\/","title":{"rendered":"'Penis-like' potato statue toppled two months after erection"},"content":{"rendered":"
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A four-metre long statue of a potato has been toppled by vandals in Cyprus.<\/p>\n
Locals called it the \u2018Big Potato\u2019 when it was unveiled last October, but it soon became a viral star for looking like the veined shaft of something quite rude.<\/p>\n
It was created by community leader George Tasou in honour of the spunta potato \u2013 an elongated variety famous in the area.<\/p>\n
Mr Tasou was reportedly at the landmark in the village of Xylofagou, near Ayia Napa, until the early hours of New Year\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
He is said to have asked someone to stand guard, but it was later cut down from its stand at around 3.30am, causing \u00a34,000 in damage.<\/p>\n
The Big Potato reportedly cost 8,000 euros (\u00a36,766) to build and there were plans for seating facilities and fried potato stalls for visitors.<\/p>\n
\u2018We want to post signs up along the highway leading drivers to the Big Potato, so that they\u2019ll come visit our village,\u2019 Mr Tasou told the Cyprus Mail last year.<\/p>\n
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He added: \u2018We are certain that it will become an attraction for thousands of tourists.\u2019<\/p>\n
But it soon became a laughing stock online, with British-Cypriot comedian Stevie Georgiou saying they\u2019ve \u2018managed to turn Xylofagou into the hosts of the 2021 International Penis Awards\u2019.<\/p>\n
Mr Tasou didn\u2019t appear to mind the negative comments, insisting there is \u2018no such thing as bad publicity\u2019.<\/p>\n
He said: \u2018I am glad as the defamation taking place is actually the best advert for us.<\/p>\n
\u2018I am sure that all those who criticise the work will come here to be photographed with the potato.\u2019<\/p>\n
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at\u00a0webnews@metro.co.uk.<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n For more stories like this,\u00a0<\/strong>check our news page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n