< strong > Centennial memory of the Plaza de France < / strong >
Content of the News
France and Panama continue to tighten their ties as brotherhood with the celebration of the centennial of the opening of the Plaza de France, with Panamanian authorities as French and general public participating in a symbolic event with a number of anecdotes related to the history of this iconic site of the Monumental Set of Casco Antiguo.
"It was so that on 4 December 1923, 100 years ago, this work was opened and had an influence on the judiciary as a witness to the construction of the Panama Legislature and Justice Palace in 1932 and later in 1994, the headquarters of the National Institute of Culture, currently the Ministry of Culture," emphasized the Minister of Culture, Giselle González Villarrué, as part of his speech.
"We are deeply grateful to Panama for his name to this place Plaza de France in honor of the French killed during the French construction of the interoceanic Canal, conducted by Ferdinand de Lesseps," said Aude de Amorim, an ambassador of France to Panama.
As part of these hundreds of years, France and Panama, through the Casco Antiguo office of the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) and the French Embassy, have been performing a number of activities in preparation to gather this date, including the celebration of international Solidarity and Peace Day with students from the schools of San Felipe, Santa Ana and El Chorrillo.
A narrative about the meaning of the square, its history and its role during this century was given as part of this commemorative event and it was up to architect Felix Duran to discuss the complete restoration plan that the Plaza de France will have soon.
"His architecture, with an obelisk of 18 metres crowned by a rooster, symbolizes the French Republic and attests to the strong relations between our countries," Aude de Amorim reiterated.
For his part, González Villarrué added that "100 years after his founding of this Plaza, the bronze rooster remains standing at the obelisk, represented a song of equality, fraternity and freedom from that time when France inspired the Panamanian Government."
Following an exchange of words, the guests visited the exhibition "The Treasures of El Casco," within the Galería Juan Manuel Cedeño, which consists of works by 26 national and international plastic artists, who have taken as a canvas doors and windows from the remodeling work of the French Embassy, an exhibition organized by the Association of Neighbors and Friends of Casco Antiguo (Acoa).
