Key facts
- France will stage a light show at the Statue of Liberty for the US 250th anniversary.
- The event is described as a "monumental artistic creation" and will be broadcast by ABC on July 4.
- The project is funded by private sponsorship and aims to showcase French technology and artists.
- France's aerobatic team previously performed a flypast over Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty on June 9.
- A final flypast is scheduled for July 4, featuring eight Alpha Jets.
France is preparing a spectacular light show at the Statue of Liberty to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. The event, described as a "monumental artistic creation," will be pre-recorded and broadcast by ABC on July 4 as part of its dedicated Independence Day programming.
France's consul in New York, Cedrik Fouriscot, stated that the project aims to be memorable and highlight French excellence in technology and art, funded entirely by private sponsorship. The initiative required several months of negotiation to obtain authorization from the National Park Service, which manages the monument.
The Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the United States, was designed by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, with architect Gustave Eiffel also involved. It was presented in 1886 and remains an iconic landmark.
In addition to the light show, France's aerobatic team, Patrouille de France, conducted a flypast over Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty on June 9. A similar flypast is planned for July 4, involving eight Alpha Jets adorned with French and American flags, accompanied by support aircraft and personnel.