(29 Jan 2009) SHOTLIST
1. Wide of cars driving through central Tikrit, large mosque in background
2. Wide of traffic
3. Wide of shoe monument, representing shoe thrown by Iraqi journalist Muntadhar al-Zeidi's at former US President George W. Bush
4. Various of shoe monument
5. Mid of poem (Arabic) inscribed on monument hailing al-Zeidi
6. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Fatin Abdul-Qadir al-Nasiri, Orphanage Director in Tikrit:
"This monument will remain an outstanding testament in this age, and it will remain a present for forthcoming generations. Women and mothers in Iraq in general and in Salah Eddin province in particular will remember the story (hurling of shoe at Bush) by the hero (al-Zeidi) who bid farewell to a president of the largest state in the world in such a way.''
7. Children gathering around the monument clapping
8. Mid of monument with small tree emerging from shoe
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Laith al-Amari, Monument Sculptor:
"The time it took to sculpt this monument lasted about 15 days and the materials used in making the monument were fibreglass coated with cold copper. Some children (from the orphanage) took part in the sculpting as well."
10. Mid of monument
STORYLINE
The shoe-hurling last month by an Iraqi journalist at then US President George W. Bush spawned a flood of internet quips, political satire and rallies of support across the Arab world.
Now, it's inspired a work of art.
A sofa-sized shoe statue was formally unveiled on Thursday in Tikrit, the hometown of the former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
Baghdad-based artist Laith al-Amari described his fibreglass-and-copper work as a homage to the pride of the Iraqi people.
He said it took him 15 days to complete, with the help of some local children.
The statue also has inscribed a poem honouring Muntadhar al-Zeidi, who threw his shoes at Bush during a news conference in Baghdad on December 14.
It was a huge insult in a nation where even showing someone the sole of one's shoe is a sign of deep disrespect, was played endlessly on television screens across the world, and for many was a fitting legacy to the Bush years.
Al-Zeidi was charged with assaulting a foreign leader, but the trial was postponed after his lawyer sought to reduce the charges.

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