Bad Nauheim : The small picturesque German town of Bad Nauheim has unveiled a bronze statue commemorating one of its most famous residents – Elvis Presley, said dpa international.
The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll lived in Bad Nauheim while he was stationed as a US soldier in neighbouring Friedberg from October 1958 to March 1960.
After months of work, the statue was completed last October.
But the town authorities were forced to drop plans to unveil it in January as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
The big reveal finally came on Friday and coincides with the European Elvis Festival in the town, which runs until Sunday, with concerts, guided tours and a classic car parade.
Fans came up with the idea of having Elvis cast in bronze in 2018 and then set about raising funds for the project.
“This is a totally overwhelming feeling,” said Angela Storm, who first dreamt of the project with friend Meike Berger.
“Anyone can touch him, take a picture, stand next to him, hug him and kiss him, too.”
The fans collected around 40,000 euros (47,000 dollars) in donations.
The statue, of Elvis in military uniform, is located on a spot where he was photographed in the late 1950s leaning against the railing of a bridge.
Sightseers regularly make a pilgrimage to Bad Nauheim’s Elvis sites dating back to his time in the town, some of which have been preserved by local authorities.