On March 16 Yoko unveiled a 17ft bronze statue of Lennon at Liverpool's former Speke airport, which has been renamed

in his honour.

'He's doing the Liverpool swagger,' said sculptor Tom Murphy.

Beneath a huge electronic hoarding, which alternately showed a bearded Lennon and the airport's new motto "Above Us Only Sky", taken from his song Imagine, Yoko made a peace sign just like in the old days. "It's a very joyous day and I'm very happy," she said. 'John would be very happy too.'

She went on to express the hope that its presence would help promote an international appreciation of Liverpool.

'Communication and exchange will lead to understanding and understanding will create Love and Peace - and the world need Peace', she said.

Yoko was asked whether some churchgoers might be offered by the airport's new slogan: " Above Us Only Sky ".

She replied: 'This is not the time to be worried about what people think, or what you think. It is a time for all people of all religions to hug each other. If you are not religious, hug a tree or something.'

Later, Yoko was driven the few miles to 251 Menlove Avenue, where Lennon lived with Aunt Mimi between 1945 and 1963. Yoko has just bought the 1932 semi in the cherry blossomed street for a rumoured 150,000 euro and given it to National Trust to 'protect it'.

Lennon spent 18 years at 251 Menlove Avenue, writing "Please Please Me" and practicing his guitar on the porch for fear of upsetting the neighbours.

'It2s an emotional kind of trip', the 69-year-old artist said. 'There was a possibility - no, a reality - that some people wanted to buy it and turn it into a honeymoon suite so what people could stay in John's bed.

'I thought that was horrible and thought i had stop it. This house is historically important for Liverpool and the world. I want to make sure it is well looked after."



Если что вдруг:

unveil - торжественно открывать

hoarding - щит для объяв и афиш

bearded - бородатый

offend - оскор блять

hug - крепко обнимать

semi - половина двухквартирного дома с отдельным входом

rumour - распространять слухи

porch - веранда, крыльцо

suite - апартаменты




Из свалки моей старой макулатуры. Хотя газетка эта не такая уж и старая по сравнению с остальными. October 2002. (зато гавно разгребла всякое.)