According to the Greek daily Katimerini and Balkan media Balkan InSite on the 17th, Adidas held a drone show over the Zapeion Hall in central Athens on the evening of the 15th.
The drone show sparked controversy when its shooting angle and perspective made it seem as if the drones had formed a figure just above the Acropolis, a global tourist attraction in Greece.
In particular, Adidas sneakers, shaped as drones, appeared to step on the acropolis, and were accused of insulting cultural heritage.
In the wake of the controversy, the Athens Public Prosecutor’s Office said it has launched a formal investigation into the Adidas drone show. The Greek Ministry of Culture has also taken legal action against Adidas, saying it violated the Antiquities Protection Act.
“This drone show uses the Acropolis for commercial purposes,” Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said in a radio interview on local broadcaster Skai the day before. “It is an illegal act conducted without prior approval from the Ministry of Culture.”
“It looked as if Adidas sneakers were kicking the Acropolis,” he said, adding, “We filed a lawsuit against all those responsible.”
Adidas says there is no problem. “The event was held only within the Zapeion Hall site and did not use the Acropolis image in the ad,” Adidas explained. It also added that “all necessary permits have been obtained.”
The Greek daily Katimerini reported that the actual drone team paid 380 euros for the use of 200 square meters above the Zapeion Hall.
The Acropolis is a hill where ancient Greek ruins such as the Parthenon and the Dionysus Theater are gathered, and it is a symbol of Greek tourism and a world-class attraction listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
EJ SONG
US ASIA JOURNAL
