By Tim Binnall
A sizeable alien statue was recently installed in the Brazilian city of Varginha, the site of a legendary UFO incident wherein witnesses claimed to have encountered otherworldly visitors. Unveiled by tourism officials on Wednesday, the thirteen-foot-tall piece was reportedly created by nationally renowned artist Renato Criaturas. The statue commemorates what has come to be known as the Varginha UFO Incident, a deeply researched 1996 event involving a downed UFO, possible alien visitors, and an alleged government cover-up.
Spawning an array of documentaries, books, and TV specials, the case has become analogous to the famed Roswell incident, including how the city where it occurred has embraced its place in flying saucer lore. To that end, the newly unveiled alien statue is just the latest in a series of UFO-themed attractions that have made Varginha what tourism officials call the country's "ET capital." Specifically, the city boasts a massive flying saucer-shaped museum, dubbed the ET Memorial, and a myriad of public art pieces celebrating the community's peculiar claim to fame.
"Varginha is already an international reference for its history, and this new attraction comes to enrich the experience of those who visit the city," tourism official Rosana Carvalho said of the giant alien statue, indicating that "our expectation is that the tourist flow will increase and, with this, all the local trade will also benefit.” The community's remarkable transformation into a destination that celebrates its proverbial UFO heritage is a testament to the changing perception of the phenomenon in recent years.