Controversial vineyard crucifix destroyed

A controversial statue of Christ sitting on the cross and enjoying a glass of wine, erected by winemaker Marek Lacina in Velke Pavlovice, Moravia, has been vandalized less than two months after its installation, Novinky.cz reported. The winegrower said the four-metre sculpture, titled Ode to Wine, was intended to honour both the Christian faith and the local winegrowing tradition. The site had become a local attraction, but some of the locals labelled the depiction offensive and called for its removal. Lacina said he was disappointed by the vandalism, adding that any future artwork on his premises would steer clear of religious themes.