Melania Trump Statue Burned In Her Own Hometown

JAKARTA - A wooden statue of the first lady of the United States (US) Melania Trump in her hometown of Sevnica, Slovenia, was burned on July 4. The arson coincided with Americans celebrating Independence Day.

The Berlin-based American artist Brad Downey said the identical-sized statue of Melania was found blackened, Thursday, July 9. The police then removed the statue and notified Downey on July 5 about the incident.

"I want to know why they did it," said Downey, who hoped the statue would encourage dialogue about the political situation in the US.

A dialogue that Downey thinks will be interesting, given Melania's status as an immigrant. And the husband, Donald Trump is a president who has vowed to reduce the number of immigrants in the US.

Downey also said he had filed a police report and wanted to question the arsonists if found. Later, this story will be included in a film he is preparing ahead of his exhibition which will open in Slovenia in September.

"The investigation into this case has not yet been completed, so we are unable to reveal details due to the importance of further procedures," said Police spokesman Alenka Drenik.

Although the face of the statue is rough and difficult to identify even before the fire, the figure is painted a pale blue to resemble the coat worn by Melania Trump. Melania wore the coat during Donald Trump's swearing in as US President.

Melania Trump herself is a model who grew up in Slovenia, which at that time was part of Yugoslavia. He then came to the US as an immigrant in the 1990s. The statue was carved with a saw by local folk artist, Ales Zupevc. Melania's statue is made from a living linden tree trunk.

Since Trump was elected US President in 2016, Sevnica has been a tourist magnet. Most visitors are looking for information on Melania's early years before moving to the US. Residents have made a variety of Melania brand merchandise, including sandals, cakes and burgers shaped like Trump with cheese "hair".

The incidence of burning this statue is not the first. In January, a large wooden statue resembling Donald Trump, designed by a local artist, was also set on fire. The statue was burned in the city of Moravce in Slovenia, east of the capital Ljubljana.

The statue in Slovenia was targeted as a monument to US leaders linked to slavery is being re-evaluated. The evaluation was the result of national reflection triggered by anti-racism protests.

In recent speeches, including the US Independence Day address, Donald Trump has taken a hard line against those who damage or tear down these historic statues.