Salvador Allende Monument, Montreal facts for kids
A special monument was put up in Parc Jean-Drapeau in Montreal, Canada, to remember Salvador Allende. It's located on Île Notre-Dame. The monument was placed there on September 11, 2009. This date was important because it was 36 years after a big event in Chile called the coup d'état, which is also when Salvador Allende passed away. A talented artist named Michel de Broin created this monument in 2009.
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About the Monument: L'Arc
The monument is called L'Arc, which means "The Arch" in French. It looks like a curved tree with its branches reaching down into the ground. Michel de Broin designed L'Arc to have many meanings, so people could think about it in their own way.
What Inspired the Artist?
The artist, Michel de Broin, said he was inspired by something Salvador Allende said in his very last speech to the people of Chile. Allende believed that the good ideas and efforts they had started would not be lost. He said, "I am certain that the seeds which we have planted in the good conscience of thousands and thousands of Chileans will not be shriveled forever. They have force and will be able to dominate us, but social processes can be arrested by neither crime nor force. History is ours, and people make history."
Symbols and Meanings of L'Arc
Michel de Broin also explained that L'Arc shows the strong connection between Chileans living in Quebec and the province itself, while still keeping their roots and heritage from Chile. The monument also helps us remember the past and how it connects to the present. It's about remembering where you come from.
How the Monument Was Funded
Building L'Arc cost about $90,000. The Chilean community in Montreal helped by giving $30,000. The city of Montreal provided the rest of the money, which was $60,000.
See also
In Spanish: Monumento a Salvador Allende para niños
