According to Reuters Brussels, a flock of 20,000 multi-coloured origami birds have been installed in a cathedral in Belgium as part of a fundraising artwork that has paid for two Covid-19 units at a local hospital.
The beautiful birds are suspended from the ceiling of the medieval Cathedral of Saint Michael and Saint Gudula by thin wires and the paper creations have come from as far afield as Hong Kong, New York and Tokyo. Belgian designer Charles Kaisin had asked people to send in home-made birds, or deposit them in boxes in 160 shops around Brussels.
Each bird was matched by a donation from companies including French energy firm Engie, raising 101,625 euros ($119,744) for two units for Covid patients at the Erasmus hospital in Brussels.
Charles also organised an art auction which raised a further 300,000 euros ($353,000)for the hospital, which he said would support its medical research, including into the side effects of potential Covid treatments.
