A scaled-down replica of the Statue of Liberty, which repeated the journey made more than a century ago by its big sister, was erected Thursday on Ellis Island in New York Harbor.
The replica, which stands 2.8 meters tall, began its journey from France to the United States in the back of a flatbed truck last week.
Franco-American friendship
On Thursday, workers unveiled the statue after its trip across the Atlantic.
The work is on loan from the Museum of Arts and Crafts of Paris in the United States for 10 years, in a gesture aimed at cementing Franco-American friendship.
"It is a symbol of the friendship between the French and American peoples, but it is also a reminder of the importance of the message of freedom and enlightenment of the world, which is the name of the statue," said Philippe Étienne, French Ambassador to the United States, during an inauguration ceremony.
"This is the essential importance of freedom in our democracies, within our societies and also in the world."
The larger version of the Statue of Liberty, which measures 305 feet (93 meters) including the base, was donated by France to the United States.
It was assembled in 1886 and has been on Liberty Island in New York Harbor ever since.
July 14 in Washington
The 450-kilogram (992-pound) bronze replica was made from the original plaster model of the Statue of Liberty by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi and will be on display on Ellis Island July 1-6 - so it will be in New York City. for the 4th of July Independence Day celebrations.
She will then be transferred to Washington.
"We found it very important to have this meeting between the little sister and the big sister, especially on July 4, and then on July 14, it will be inaugurated again, but in Washington," said Philippe Étienne.
With Reuters
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