Serbs Make Fun of Massive Flagpole Project

Jokes have been traded online about the planned installation of the 120-metre-high flagpole at the mouth of the Sava River in Belgrade, where an enormous Serbia flag is expected to be raised early next year.

State-owned newspaper Vecernje novosti originally reported in April that the 30-metre-wide flag will be visible from almost all parts of the capital - a project initiated by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic with the aim of "strengthening the cult of the flag".

Belgrade Mayor Sinisa Mali told Pink TV on June 24 that funds have been set aside for the project in the city budget.

According to the city website, its cost will be around 1.8 million euros. Additional funds will be provided for 30-metre-high flagpoles in 10 other locations in Belgrade. 

Online critics however compared the project to the grandiose new musical fountain in the city centre, which was promoted by the Belgrade authorities at a special event earlier this month.

E, aj pitajte Vesića el može da napravi da jarbol diriguje fontani, čuo sam da Bugari to baš vole...

— Alex, crni sine (@AlexCrniSine) June 26, 2017

"Let's ask [city manager Goran] Vesic if he can create a flagpole which will conduct the fountain, I heard Bulgarians really like that," one Twitter user wrote on Tuesday evening, before going on to ask: "When will we make a 300-metre-high Vucic?"

Mayor Mali said in December 2015 that because 90,000 people had visited the city from Bulgaria, he expected at least 150,000 tourists during that year's New Year holidays - a statement which has remained the subject of mockery since then. 

One Twitter user wrote on Monday that Serbia could also fly the Bulgarian flag on the new flagpole....