BRAZIL: Christ the Redeemer statue above Rio de Janeiro celebrates seventy fifth anniversary

The original designs considered for the famous Christ the Redeemer statue included a huge Christian cross, a representation of Jesus with a globe in his hands and a huge dais symbolizing the world. But the landmark Art Deco-style Jesus, with his wide open arms embracing the skyline above the Brazilian cosmopolitan hub of Rio de Janeiro was eventually chosen, and now the statue is celebrating its 75th birthday. A Catholic mass service was held at the base of the imposing figure at the top of the 710 metre (2330 foot) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park as part of the celebrations. "This monument was raised as an expression of the faith and love that we have for Christ, because he has given us so many beautiful things. It is the conjunction of divine architecture and human architecture, as the late Pope John Paul II said," Catholic Cardinal Euzebio Scheid said as he gave the birthday service. Part of the celebrations included a performance from music troupe Trio Chausson, whose violinist Antonie Landowiski is the great grandson of the French sculptor Paul Landowiski who drew up the final designs for Christ the Redeemer. "It's a beautiful statue and it is a beautiful honour to play and represent my great-grandfather here for this birthday at this very big ceremony," said Antonie Landowiski. The statue was erected in 1923, built using donations from rich Brazilian Catholics. Local engineer Heitor da Silva Costa oversaw the construction of the new monument, who constructed it from steel and soapstone.

ITN Source | October 14, 2006

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