Czechs apologise for EU artwork

THE Czechs launched their controversial artwork in the EU’s headquarters yesterday, saying freedom of expression was the foundation of democracy — and promptly apologised for the work.

An unprecedented crowd gathered in the huge, covered atrium of the building where prime ministers and ministers from the member states usually meet, and applauded when the 16sq m installation depicting each country was switched on.

The little cars immediately began to travel along the German autobahn shaped suspiciously like a swastika; the squat toilet on Bulgaria was lit with flashing lights; Ireland’s brown, furry bagpipes played and whined; each of the Italian footballers fondled a ball to rapturous applause; nuclear stacks emitted smoke on pristine Austria; and the little Lithuanian boys peed into neighbouring Byelorussia.