PodcastWatermelon baby statue in Diyarbakır joins Turkey's bizarre artworks
A sculpture of a baby in a watermelon that was recently revealed in southeastern Turkey's Diyarbakır joined a list of bizarre artworks around the country. The baby in the watermelon was created in honor of the region's local watermelons, but prompted more shock than admiration among witnesses.
The statue of a baby in a watermelon that was revealed recently in southeastern Diyarbakır joined a list of bizarre sculptures around the country, often created to honor local traditions.
Famous for their oversized watermelons, Diyarbakır residents have a habit of photographing babies in carved-out watermelons to highlight the size of the fruits.
"Watermelons that can fit a child are Diyarbakır watermelons," the Diyarbakır Municipality tweeted on May 9. "Send us childhood photos in watermelons, we'll publish them. Let's show the world what watermelons are."
One social media user asked the municipality to reveal the cost of the bizarre artwork, as well as the statue of a man displaying a local sweet that was revealed at the same time. The municipality is currently run by a government-appointed trustee, who is known for extravagant spending without any transparency.