Posted on 06/28/2002 4:55:15 PM PDT by chance33_98
Sculpture Marking U.S.-Mexico Friendship Unveiled Email story to a friend
A 65 ft. tall steel sculpture to commemorate the relationship between the United States and Mexico was unveiled Thursday in downtown San Antonio.
The flaming red "Torch of Friendship" was presented to Mayor Ed Garza by Mexico's foreign minister, Jorge Castenada.
Castenada was standing in for Mexican president Vicente Fox, who in late May canceled a visit to San Antonio that had been scheduled for this week.
The sculpture was the work of prominent Mexican artist Sebastian, who is known for his public-art creations around the world.
"I am deeply moved to be able to leave an imprint here," Sebastian said during the unveiling ceremony. "San Antonio is a very important city in the relationship between Mexico and the United States."
The torch was erected in the middle of a small traffic circle where two of the busiest downtown streets, Alamo and Commerce, come together.
That location, along with the sculpture's bright color and size, prompted some criticism of the Mexican government's gift.
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