The incident took place on Friday, just one day after the statue was reopened to the public following a €90 million restoration project. Video footage of the incident shows the man climbing slowly onto the statue, which depicts a lion held by an angel. As he tried to climb down, a part of the statue, believed to be the torch held by the angel, broke off.
Arrest and Call for Repairs
The man was arrested by police in a nearby fast-food restaurant shortly after the incident. He was reportedly unaware that he had caused any damage to the statue.
The management of the Brussels stock exchange has expressed their disappointment at the incident and called for the man to cover the cost of repairs, which are estimated to be at least €5,000. The Irish tourist has been released on bail and is due to appear in court next month.
Appeal for Responsible Tourism
"We are very disappointed that this incident has taken place," said a spokesperson for the stock exchange. "The statue is a valuable cultural asset, and we are committed to restoring it to its former glory. We hope that the individual responsible for this damage will take responsibility for their actions and cover the cost of repairs."
The spokesperson also warned other tourists to be respectful of public property and to avoid climbing on statues or other monuments.
Respecting Public Property and Cultural Assets
This incident is a reminder of the importance of respecting public property, especially cultural assets. It is also a reminder that tourists should be aware of their surroundings and take care not to damage anything while they are visiting new places.
In addition to the damage to the statue, the incident has also caused embarrassment to the Irish tourist and to the Irish government. The Irish foreign minister has expressed his regret for the incident and has said that the Irish government will work with the Belgian authorities to ensure that the statue is repaired as soon as possible.
The incident has also sparked a debate about the role of alcohol in tourism. Some people have argued that the tourist was simply drunk and that he did not intend to damage the statue. Others have argued that alcohol can lead to reckless behavior and that tourists should be more careful when consuming alcohol while traveling.
Promoting Responsible Tourism
Whatever the reason for the incident, it is a reminder that tourists need to be respectful of public property and that they need to be aware of their surroundings. Responsible tourism is essential to preserving cultural heritage and ensuring the enjoyment of all visitors.
