The Graf Spee, a German battleship that played a significant role during World War II, It has become a historical landmark. However, it is your eagle in the prow the one that has left an indelible mark in the collective memory.
For decades, this symbol has remembered the horrors of war and the attempts of Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich to reach Latin America to expand his empire of monstrosity. Now, Uruguay has the opportunity to transform this emblem of war into one of peace.
This Friday, the Uruguayan president, Luis Lacalle Pou, has released news that has captured the attention of the Uruguayan nation and has resonated throughout the world. He announced that the emblematic eagle of the famous German ship Graf Spee, now definitive property of the Uruguayan State after a long legal dispute, will be transformed into a dove by the renowned national artist, Pablo Atchugarry. This gesture seeks to send a clear message to the world: Uruguay is a peaceful society.
The journey of the Nazi eagle, now on its way to being a “symbol of peace”
In a press conference offered by Lacalle and Atchugarry this Friday, the president recalled that the symbol of the Nazi ship was extracted from the water in 2006 and was guarded by the National Navy for 17 years. After a costly and lengthy international litigation, the Uruguayan State received final ownership.
“The sign of our country towards our people, towards the outside world, is that we are a society of peace, we are a society of union”said the president at the conference.
Atchugarry, for his part, detailed the process of creating the work, which will be 1.70 meters long and has been carried out in different locations, beginning in Uruguay, continuing in Italy and ending in our country.
The artist explained that the process began with a initial sketchthen proceeded to create a three-dimensional mold using carrara marbleand finally the cast bronze eaglethis last stage being the responsibility of a company based in Montevideo.
Making the mold will take about three months and it is expected to arrive in Uruguay in September. Atchugarry indicated that it is estimated that it will be completed in November. According to the resolutionthis artistic process will not cost the Uruguayan State anything.
