On may 1st 2004 Europe was enlarged as it accepted several new countries into it's grouping. As a goodwill gesture around Ireland several towns were twined with one of these countries and had a small festival to welcome our new members. Bray in the south of Dublin was twinned with Cyprus and Niall Magee and myself were asked to make a sand sculpture to mark the occasion.
Most of my friends from the accession countries were excited about the idea of joining up due to the freedom of movement it would allow. Also for me personally the idea of reducing the man made boards was filled with the promise of peace and community. But due the fact many of these countries had a weaker GDP than the other member states alot of people weren't too pleased about them joining the gang. In the end I think we are all better for it even with all the crisis's Europe has faced.
There were ten new countries in all; Malta, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary. Many worried that we would be flooded with bloody foreigners coming to 'Take our jobs' For Niall and myself as travellers to some of these countries to take their jobs we thought it was fair enough.
For the sculpture we carved a large arch, like a gateway into Europe. On one side was a personification of Cyprus presenting her star to gain access. Niall made this and a big Urn as another symbol (You will have to ask him what that meant) In ways the star could represent her giving something that was precious to the Cypriots, like giving away certain freedoms to the bureaucracy of Brussels in return for the open market it offered.
On the other was a personification of Ireland welcoming her in. As a figure she represents Erin a fictitious character used to symbolize our land and had a little Harp beside her to spell out we meant Ireland.
As a project it wasn't the most exciting, we did most of our work in the week leading up to the event and only really talked to the local dog walkers that would happen on by.
As can be seen the sand itself was quite rough and when compacted turn to a very solid mass that was difficult to carve. So our details were a bit simplified. But, I think we got away with it.
Ps
Thanks for reading. I use Steem to document my work as an ephemeral Sculptor of sand, snow and ice, among other things. This will hopefully give it a new life on the Steem blockchain. Below you will find some of my recent posts.
Frodo's Pepper Ghost - sand sculpture
Encyclopedias - sand sculpture
The Lion King - sand sculpture
I hope you'll join me again soon.
@ammonite
[//]:# (!steemitworldmap 53.202975 lat -6.097912 long Welcoming Cyprus to the EU - sand sculpture 2004 d3scr)