We've updated our Privacy and Cookies Policy
We've made some important changes to our Privacy and Cookies Policy and we want you to know what this means for you and your data.
Serbia: Duck protest against waterfront development
- Author, News from Elsewhere...
- Role, ...as found by 91热爆 Monitoring
Residents in Serbia's capital have adopted a large foam duck to protest against a redevelopment project, it's been reported.
Protesters and civic groups took to the streets of Belgrade clutching toy ducks to denounce a controversial government-backed project along the banks of the Sava river which they fear will change the look of their city for ever, . The 3.5bn euro ($3.8bn; 拢2.5bn) project, dubbed "Beograd na vodi" ("Belgrade waterfront"), is expected to take over two decades, and see the construction of a business hub, some 17,000 residential units, as well as the biggest shopping mall in the Balkans, . Belgrade's mayor says the project will help kick-start the economy and bring substantial benefits to local residents, but the marchers, with a 2m foam duck to the fore, chanted slogans denouncing "plunder" and saying "Belgrade does not want a bourgeoisie quarter on its waterfront."
The duck-wielding residents dismiss the project as a "scam", claiming that it will make businessmen rich at the expense of ordinary residents. In particular, they seem to be riled by the planned construction of a modern "Dubai-style" 180-metre tower which local traditionalists say will block the city's favourite views. Protesters have also played on the fact that the Serbian word for duck is also a slang word for part of the male anatomy, giving their slogans and a Twitter hashtag - the equivalent of "show them the middle finger" - a whole new dimension.
Next story: Alcohol advert ban for young celebrities
Use #NewsfromElsewhere to stay up-to-date with our reports via .
Top Stories
More to explore
Most read
Content is not available