British Pole Dancers Arrested for Photoshoot at Corfu Heritage Site

A group of British pole dancers sparked widespread outrage and legal action in Corfu after staging a semi-nude photoshoot at the historic Old Palace of St. Michael and St. George, a UNESCO World Heritage Site housing the Museum of Asian Art. The photoshoot, which was apparently part of an annual 'pole dancing vacation,' took place without authorization, prompting the Municipality of Corfu and the Museum of Asian Art to file a complaint, leading to the dancers' arrest on charges of violating archaeological laws and degrading the area. The incident raised concerns over security lapses, as the pole dancing occurred outside the museum and was not detected in time despite attracting a crowd near a nightlife district. Locals expressed strong condemnation on social media, criticizing the disrespect shown to the cultural landmark and fearing potential damage to the site, although no evidence of harm has been found. The Ministry of Culture and local authorities denied prior knowledge or approval of the event, emphasizing its illegality. The dancers have since apologized in court, calling their choice of location unfortunate, with hearings pending.