“Fly, you fools,” booms a voice from high above. You don’t need to look up to recognize the speaker. The Gandalf the Grey Statue, perched majestically atop a giant eagle, is hard to miss. This isn’t Middle-earth, though. You are standing in the Wellington International Airport, where fantasy and reality collide. The Gandalf the Grey Statue, along with his eagle companion, has been a fixture here since 2013. It was a grand collaboration between the airport and the wizards at Weta Workshop, the creative geniuses behind the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films. Each eagle, with a wingspan of 15 meters, weighs a hefty one tonne. Imagine the engineering marvel of suspending these colossal creatures from the airport ceiling. In 2014, the airport got a real-life taste of Middle-earth drama. During a magnitude 6.4 earthquake, one of the eagles took an unexpected plunge. Thankfully, no one was hurt, and the eagle was soon returned to its rightful place, none the worse for its adventure. The Gandalf the Grey Statue stands as a testament to New Zealand’s pivotal role in bringing Tolkien’s world to life. It’s a reminder that even in the hustle and bustle of travel, a little bit of magic can be found if you know where to look.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to