<div><p>The troubled Balkans could probably learn a few lessons from Bob Marley and the Wailers' enthusiasm for laidback, earnest lovin'. And at least one group of Serbs and Croats seems to agree, this weekend erecting a statue to the reggae legend.</p><p>The event took place on Saturday in the village of Banatski Sokolac, in south-east Serbia. In a symbolic gesture, both Croatian and Serbian musicians were on hand for the event; Croatian rock star Dado Topi? and Serbian musician Jovan Matic together unveiled the statue. "Bob Marley promoted peace and tolerance in his music," explained Mirko Miljus, an organiser of the event.</p><p>It is claimed that this statue is the first European monument to Jamaica's most famous son. Created by Croatian sculptor Davor Dukic, the statue depicts Marley with a guitar, raising his fist. It is, we are sure, a peaceful and tolerant fist.</p><p>The statue is part of a trend in the former Yugoslavia, as war-scarred communities honour foreign celebrities instead of local figures. In Mostar, Bosnia a bronze statue of Bruce Lee was erected in 2005, and last year the Serbian village of ?iti?te honoured Rocky Balboa ? the film character played by Sylvester Stallone ? in an effort to shake off bad luck. </p><p>Perhaps, by the same token, it would do the West some good to honour great Balkan figures. Maybe statues to Emir Kusturica, Nikola Tesla and Milla Jovovich in Trafalgar Square, and monuments to Maxo Vanka, Goran Bregovic, Dragutin Tadijanovi? outside the White House. It couldn't hurt.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=35961220&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>

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