Gold stars have been awarded to ten EU member states in a pan-European agricultural-themed drawing competition.
The top three entries – from Spain, Italy and Bulgaria – were also awarded chocolate cows, sheep and pigs – although some of these did not reach the winners as they were eaten during the judging process, a Commission source confirmed today.
It is believed that one of the winning entries featured a herd of bovine rappers performing a tune called ‘Health Checking it Out (Set Aside)’.
Among those efforts rejected by Commission judges was a drawing (rumoured to have been submitted by France) depicting certain Commissioners as steaming cowpats.
The ‘Down on the Farm’ drawing competition was launched two months ago in a bid by the European Commission to ‘endorse and promote the beneficial nature of actively and successfully working within a creative framework to produce artistic art which showcases co-operation, effective working methods and tangible results.’
Only non-professional artists were allowed to enter, and entrants were only permitted to use felt-tip pens or crayons. Drawings had to be executed on paper measuring no more or less than 40cm by 30cm – any entries not meeting these requirements were immediately rejected.
The Commission source said there had been ‘much hilarity’ and some drunkenness during the judging of the competition, which was carried out at Kitty O’ Shea’s pub opposite the Berlaymont building on Friday evening.
However, the source also admitted: “Regrettably, some of the chocolate prizes were also eaten during the judging.”
A member of the public who was in Kitty O’ Shea’s on Friday said there had also been repeated renditions of the theme tune from Tony Hart’s ‘Hartbeat’ art programme for youngsters, popular in the UK in the 1980s and 90s.
A spokesman for the Spanish permanent representation in Brussels told the BULLetin: “We are delighted to have been selected among the top three entrants.”
He added: “It is unfortunate that two of our chocolate sheep prizes were received in a headless format, but the Commission has apologised for this and we are happy to leave it at that.”
Tags: bovine rappers, chocolate sheep, cowpats, drawing competition, gold stars, headless format, Tony Hart
