Oscar Wilde Tomb Protected From Kissing Fans
The Oscar Wilde tomb has been protected and has undergone a restoration project this week.
The tomb is located at the Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris and traditionally has been covered in lip marks left by fans. However, it was announced this week that visitors will no longer be allowed to kiss the tomb.
The playwright’s restored tomb will be unveiled Wednesday, and will boast a new glass barrier that "will surround it to prevent the kissers from causing further damage," according to the Guardian.
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Irish-born Wilde authored famous plays such as: "The Importance of Being Earnest," "An Ideal Husband," "Salome" and "Lady Windermere's Fan."
However, despite writing some of the most famous plays in modern times, he died virtually bankrupt in 1900 in Paris at the age of 46.
His tomb has been the target of loving fans who have left lipstick kiss marks, as well as written love messages on his tombstone over recent years. Although the lipstick marks were often cleaned, the constant kissing and washing had caused the stonework to begin to weaken and wear away.
