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2022, Inauguration of the Handshake Monument, replacing the Olry statue

Event

has description | a une description
A new monument is inaugurated in Place de la Paix, almost a year after the removal of the statue of Governor Olry. The monument represents the handshake between Jacques Lafleur and Jean-Marie Tjibaou, in connection with the Matignon Accords signed in 1988 on the status of New Caledonia. For both the municipality and Fred Fichet, the sculptor, the statue is intended to be accessible to the public. The sculptor hopes it will "touch people". The men depicted are slightly taller than human height (2.50m), and not large, so as not to be overhanging or imposing figures. They are installed on a low plinth, 50cm high, so that the public can approach and touch them. Fred Fichet explains that one of his hopes is that the hand left free on the two figures can be grabbed and touched by passers-by, which could also help the sculpture itself to evolve by wearing out this element more quickly. Plaques on the base and side of the monument provide biographical information on Jacques Lafleur and Jean-Marie Tjibaou, the Matignon-Oudinot Accords they signed, and the choice of monumental representation by Nouméa mayor Sonia Lagarde.
has type | est de type
inauguration
carried out by | réalisée par
The statue was commissioned by an association formed in memory of Jacques Lafleur, and given to the Municipality of Nouméa. The latter organized the inauguration. The statue was created by Fred Fichet, a sculptor based in Nouméa, and cast at the Barthélémy foundry in the Drôme region.
Fichet, Fred
took place at | a eu lieu dans
Place de la paix (anciennement Square Olry), place des cocotiers, Nouméa
took place on or within | a eu lieu le ou dans l'intervalle de temps
26 June 2022
resulted in | a eu pour résultat
In May-June 2024, during the riots that shook New Caledonia/Kanaky, the statue was not taken to task.
is referred to by | est référencé par
Noumea Website
Demain en Nouvelle Calédonie
Interview with Fred Fichet
Interview with the heritage department of the city of Nouméa