August 1: statue of William Tell inaugurated in New York

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–This content was published on July 31, 2016 – 20:15
July 31, 2016 – 8:15 PM

(Keystone-ATS)

August 1 is also celebrated across the Atlantic. On this occasion, a statue of William Tell was unveiled on a New York island. An artistic project supported by the city of La Chaux-de-fonds in particular, the statue is a symbol of democracy.

The statue, a replica of the same size (4 meters) as the original Altdorf monument, was unveiled on Sunday afternoon. It is located on “Rat Island”, an islet 80 meters by 50 meters off the Bronx district and 400 meters from City Island.

The only private island in New York, it does not have a landing stage and can only be visited by boat or helicopter. The land belongs to two Swiss expatriates.

The Swiss artist Gerry Hofstetter wanted to recall that the origin of democracy has its roots in Switzerland. The statue therefore fits perfectly into its “TELL goes West” project combining democracy, little apple, William Tell and “think big”, indicates a press release.

Tell and his son Walter are presented there as ambassadors of freedom in New York. Their gaze is turned to the southwest, towards the Statue of Liberty, located 27 kilometers in a straight line.

The island also accommodates three masts. One carries the flag of the United States, another that of Switzerland. The third allows you to fly the flag of an American state, a Swiss canton or a partner of the event. Signs indicate the direction of Uri, Lucerne and the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds, partners of the project.

Letter box

The project offers a little interactive touch: William Tell managed to get his own address on the island, 1291 Wilhelm Tell Square. Visitors from all over the world can send him a letter and ask him questions about democracy and Switzerland, says the artist.

All the American administrations have shown goodwill and issued the necessary authorizations in record time for this complex project, the statement said. The statue and the posts may remain on the island for an indefinite period. No Swiss authority was involved in the project.

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