Independence monument damaged

TIRANA, July 21 – There has been an outpouring of anger in Albanian social media following damage done by metal thieves to the Independence Monument in Rinia Park in downtown Tirana.
Seven of the monuments copper tiles were stolen, police said, adding they have no suspects at this time.
The monument, located alongside the Finance Ministry and across the street from the Interior Ministry, was set there two years ago when Albania celebrated its 100th anniversary of independence.
The monument cost some 350,000 euro and each of its bronze tiles costs 400 euros. It is the second time it is damaged by copper thieves.
The Ministry of Tourism and Culture announced in 2011 an international competition for the building of the monument dedicated to the 100 anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the Albanian State: 28 November 1912 – 28 November 2012. The project of two architects from Germany, Visar Obrija and Kai Roman Kiklas, won the award, and the artwork was built in Austria. The concept is to resemble a house which is opening from isolation toward freedom.
Damaging art decorations and such monuments or statues is something that has been repeated several times in Albanian cities.