Polish town unveils world's largest Jesus statue

EarthTimes ("Deutsche Presse-Agentur," November 21, 2010)

Warsaw, Poland -  A Polish town on Sunday unveiled the world's largest Jesus statue - which surpasses the famous Christ sculpture in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro - with a mass attended by thousands in what was hoped to become a hot tourist destination.

The statue in Swiebodzin, western Poland, measures 33 metres in height and sits atop a 17-metre mount. It was built from private donations and designed by Sylwester Zawadzki, a local priest.

Thousands gathered Sunday at the statue waving Polish and European Union flags. Organizers said some 20,000 people were in attendance.

The statue has stirred controversy with some claiming it will attract tourists to the small town. Others have called the statue kitsch or an embarrassment for the country.