On 23 August 2008, Serbia, and more precisely the small village of Banatski Sokolac (a few hundred inhabitants), is due to unveil the first monument dedicated to Bob Marley in Europe. The tribute will take the form of a statue to be unveiled during the annual Rock Village festival, under the patronage of Belgrade's Del Arno Band, one of the best-known reggae outfits in the country.
The good health of reggae in the Balkans is not enough to explain the initiative, however: immortalising international stars in statues (Sylvester Stallone and Bruce Lee have theirs!) does indeed seem to be a local speciality.