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Amid Crisis, Frankfurt's Landmark Euro Sculpture Gets Pricey Makeover


Workers dismantle the large euro sign sculpture for maintenance, in front of the headquarters of the former European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, July 6, 2015.
Workers dismantle the large euro sign sculpture for maintenance, in front of the headquarters of the former European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, July 6, 2015.

The euro may be facing an existential crisis but the giant 14-meter sculpture of the euro symbol that towers over downtown Frankfurt, home of the European Central Bank, was still getting its biggest makeover in 13 years on Monday.

Considered an eyesore by many Frankfurters, the run-down blue and gold structure situated in front of the ECB's former headquarters was dismantled by construction workers, who plan to fix it up from years of wear and tear, including attacks by protesters.

The euro logo sculpture is seen in front the headquarters of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Oct. 26, 2014.
The euro logo sculpture is seen in front the headquarters of the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, Oct. 26, 2014.

Owned by the non-profit Frankfurter Kultur Komitee, the common currency's best known symbol will get fashionable LED lighting and new panels at a cost of up to 60,000 euros, financed by donations, including from the ECB, the Bundesbank and private individuals.

The work, which is expected to conclude by Friday, starts as the currency faced its biggest test with policymakers openly discussing Greece's exit from the bloc after it rejected bailout terms in a hastily called referendum on Friday.

Designed by artist Ottmar Hörl, the euro sculpture has been among the most photographed landmarks in Frankfurt and the work caps years of bickering over the renovation.

"The sculpture is the most photographed and most published symbol of the city, the most published work of art, plus it is a magnet for tourists," Hörl said earlier. "Despite all of the issues, I still consider the currency union and the efforts for a combined and solidly united Europe to be one of the greatest achievements of the 21st century."

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    Reuters

    Reuters is a news agency founded in 1851 and owned by the Thomson Reuters Corporation based in Toronto, Canada. One of the world's largest wire services, it provides financial news as well as international coverage in over 16 languages to more than 1000 newspapers and 750 broadcasters around the globe.

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