A Belarusian was detained in France for trying to dig up the grave of the artist Van Gogh

It is still unknown what punishment the man will face for the clowning.

A Belarusian performance artist, Alexei Kuzmich, was detained at a cemetery in the French commune of Auvers-sur-Oise, who staged a clowning show at the grave of Vincent Van Gogh with the goal of digging up and reviving the post-impressionist artist.

Kuzmich showed up at the cemetery with a shovel in hand, installed an alarm clock on Van Gogh's grave, and then turned to the people present there, offering them to dig up the artist. Of course, there were no fools among the cemetery visitors. Then the Belarusian began to dig up the grave himself and shout to Van Gogh, accompanied by the sound of the alarm clock, that it was time to get up.

"Good afternoon, friends! You came here with sadness. I understand you. I also cannot bear to live in a world where there are no more artists. But from now on everything will be different. Artist, it's time to get up. Artist, get up!" — Kuzmich declared to the assembled tourists.

Eyewitnesses eventually called security and the careless performer was detained. According to local media, the incident occurred on Monday, July 29. It is noted that Kuzmich did not touch the grave itself or the tombstone, but was digging a hole nearby, so as not to get into a criminal case or a large fine.

An investigation is currently underway regarding the detainee, but local authorities and the gendarmerie have not yet officially commented on the incident. It would be nice if the artist were deported to his homeland — he would be better off digging up potatoes at home. Under supervision.