BRAZIL-CHRIST STATUE/AMAZON DAY Rio's Christ statue splattered with images of the Amazon to mark Amazon Day

Record ID: 141760

  • Title: BRAZIL-CHRIST STATUE/AMAZON DAY Rio's Christ statue splattered with images of the Amazon to mark Amazon Day
  • Date: 6th September 2015
  • Summary: RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (SEPTEMBER 05, 2015) (REUTERS) LIGHTS FROM THE PROJECTION THE FACE PROJECTED ON THE CHRIST STATUE VARIOUS MORE OF THE PROJECTIONS ON THE STATUE
  • Embargoed: 21st September 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Brazil
  • Country: Brazil
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVAEM6IZGNMV6BCI49IDOJES6DRK
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Rio de Janeiro's landmark Christ the Redeemer statue was lit up with breathtaking images of the Amazon rainforest on Saturday (September 5) night in a bid to call attention to protecting the South American biome on Amazon Day, which is celebrated on September 5th.
    Images of the Amazon jungle were projected onto the iconic figure as organizers from the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, which runs and cares for the famous Christ statue, and the WWF-Brazil called on the world to protect the largest tropical forest in the world.
    The photographs were taken by Brazilian artists and depicted images from the Amazon focusing on the abundant plant and animal life as well as the millions of indigenous peoples who call the forest home.
    The French artist tasked with pulling off the ground-breaking project, Gaspare di Caro, said he was honoured to have been chosen to oversee the project.
    "I was asked by the WWF and the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro to oversee the illumination (of the statue) based on the Amazon; the forest, the indigenous people, because we should not forget the indigenous people, to mark Amazon Day. It is really important to us that we preserve the Amazon which is the world's lung. It was truly an honour for me to be chosen to do this work," di Caro said.
    The projections were also accompanied by Brazilian music, including the celebrated work of Brazilian composer Heitor Villa-Lobos, "A Floresta do Amazonas" ("Forest of the Amazon").
    The Executive Secretary of WWF-Brazil, Carlos Nomoto, said the need to protect the Amazon is increasingly evident as researchers continually discover benefits the massive jungle has for the world as a whole.
    "This (the Amazon) is the largest tropical forest in the world. Every day we discover more of the direct benefits of this forest, for all of us, for all of humanity. Regulating the climate through water evaporation, through its beauty, it's genetic heritage; it is a heritage site for humanity. We are really happy and feel great, with all the partners that are here, so that once again we can mark, here in Brazil and throughout the world, the importance of this forest," Nomoto said.
    Brazilian soccer star Neymar, who plays for FC Barcelona, created a video for the WWF to call on his fans to help spread the word on the importance of protecting the Amazon.
    "September 5th, a lot of people don't know, but this is Amazon Day. (It is) the largest forest in the world, which reaches nine different countries. It does good for the entire world, but with every passing day, it is threatened more. So, do as I do with the Neymar Junior Institute, help the WWF protect our forest. Share this video. I'm counting on you. Viva the Amazon," Neymar said.
    The projections were for one night only, making the iconic landmark an important symbol for the Amazon as it looked over the city of Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night.
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