Mongolians protest as monument to Beatles comes under threat
ULAANBAATAR: AstatueoftheBeatles in Mongolia’s capital Ulaanbaatar could be at risk amid an alleged land grab, protesters say, asrapiddevelopmentturnsacity oncefamedfor wide open spaces into a cluttered metropolis.
Residents are protesting against plans to build commercial properties in an area known as Beatles Square, where a bronze bas-relief monument to the “Fab Four” commemorates the former Soviet satellite’s transition to democracy in 1990.
“For a long time there were storiesaboutconstructiononthe land, but nobody wanted to believe it,” said Tsoggerel Uyanga,acommunityorganiser.
Themonument,erectedin2008 with donations from politicians, businessmen and artists, marks the site where Mongolians gathered to talk about banned Westernpopmusicandsoonbecamea quirky tourist attraction.
The music of the Beatles, Abba, and other Western pop groups helped launch the “Rock andRollCommunistRevolution” thatinspiredagenerationtofight for Mongolian democracy thirty years ago.
The protests began after an August 2 announcement that construction work would start, with residents calling the project a “land grab” and expressing fears the Beatles statue could be moved or even demolished.
Authoritieshavedefendedthe developmentaspartofa“car-free street” project to build an underground shopping complex complete with street gardens.
Meanwhile,alawyerforMongolia’s National Construction Association said there were no plans to remove the Beatles statue. “By implementing the project, there are a great deal of advantages, such as increasing jobs and reducing traffic congestion,” said D Uuganbayar, the lawyer. REUTERS