News Feature

Serbian town plans to draw holidaymakers with Rocky statue

30 April 2009

A small town in Serbia could become an off-the-wall destination for travellers enjoying a Croatia villa holiday after it was featured in an acclaimed new documentary.

Due to be premiered later this week at the Toronto Hot Docs festival, Amerika Idol: A True Story tells the tale of the town of Zitiste in the north-east of Serbia.

With the local residents concerned that their home town was known for little more than an annual chicken festival, despite its history and stunning architecture, they decided in 2007 to erect a giant statue of the fictional boxing champion Rocky Balboa.

According to the young men behind the scheme, which was followed from start to finish by filmmaker Barry Avrich, the statue would serve as a 'beacon of hope' to locals and attract tourists from within Serbia and from neighbouring countries such as Croatia.

Speaking to Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper, Avrich revealed that, while the statue may not do for Zitiste what Lord of the Rings did for New Zealand, he is sure that visitors will be "won over" by the locals, just as he was.

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