Toronto park is getting a huge rooster from Portugal

Bright, colourful ceramic roosters are a common sight in Portugal, but now a Toronto park will get its own version of the bird.

The 2.8 metre tall, 100-kilogram rooster, a gift from the Municipality of Barcelos, northern Portugal, arrived in 2019 but has been in storage since then, said AnaBela Taborda, chair of the Little Portugal on Dundas BIA.

The plans for a project to paint and install the rooster were delayed due to the pandemic, said Taborda. The BIA, City of Toronto and StreetARToronto are working together to create a unique rooster, which will eventually be installed in Lakeview Avenue Parkette near Ossington and Dundas.

Currently, the large bird is unpainted and the city just launched a call for artists for an original design for it.

The roosters in Portugal have a traditional style but the Toronto bird will be different and unique, said Taborda.

Taborda said the Municipality of Barcelos donated the sculpture after Portuguese consul general Rui Gomes visited Toronto and was thrilled to learn there was a part of the city named Little Portugal.

"He was quite excited about it," Taborda said.

source: https://www.blogto.com/arts/2021/01/toronto-getting-huge-rooster-portugal/