Khánh thành tượng Mandela tại London

on 24 October 2008.

Mandela Statue 203x152 Tượng Nelson Mandela được khánh thành tại Quảng trường Quốc hội ở Lonđon hôm nay sau một chiến dịch vận động kéo dài. Ông Mandela, năm nay 89 tuổi, và vợ, bà Graca Machel cùng Thị trưởng London và các nhà vận động chống phân biệt chủng tộc đã có mặt tại buổi lễ, với sự tham gia của các nghệ siobject id="playerObject" name="playerObject" width="400" height="55">

The nine foot bronze shows Nelson Mandela standing and gesturing, as if making a speech. The idea for the monument was initiated by the anti-apartheid activist, Donald Woods. He chose the sculptor Ian Walters who began the work six years ago. Sadly, neither man lived to see today's ceremony.

The statue's fate has been dogged by arguments over where it should go, as well as its artistic merit. The Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, had wanted it to stand on the north side of Trafalgar Square. But in 2005 Westminster Council refused permission, saying it would clutter the space needed for large events. It was finally agreed it should face the Houses of Parliament and stand alongside other great leaders, such as Winston Churchill, Benjamin Disraeli and Abraham Lincoln.

Gordon Brown will attend the unveiling. Yesterday he described Mr Mandela as 'the most inspiring, the greatest and the most courageous leader of our generation'.

Emily Buchanan, BBC

gesturing
ra dấu, vẫy tay hay gật, lắc đầu ra hiệu

initiated by
khởi đầu, khởi xướng

anti-apartheid activist
một nhà hoạt động chống phân biệt chủng tộc

sculptor
nghệ sĩ điêu khắc, nhà điêu khắc

neither man lived to see
cả hai người cùng không sống tới lúc được nhìn thấy, chứng kiến

fate
số phận, định mệnh

dogged
bị bám theo, bị theo đuổi

artistic merit
giá trị nghệ thuật

clutter
làm chật chội, tạo cảm giác chật chội

unveiling
khánh thành, lần đầu tiên trưng bày trước công chúng

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