A sculpture known as the “Friendship Table” arrived in Two Rivers late last week and has been assembled in Central Park East for a future dedication.
The two-and-a-half-ton sculpture arrived in Chicago from the Czech Republic to celebrate Two Rivers’ Sister City relationship with Domazlice.
Pat Dewane, whose grandfather, Lieutenant Colonel Matt Konop, was part of the U.S. Army’s liberation there at the end of World War II, spoke Sunday with Seehafer News.
He said, “To be able to foster a connection, you know, bringing an artist here and having his work being part of this renaissance of Central Park in Two Rivers, with the brewery, the stage and the splash pad, and now with this piece of art right across from city hall is really magical.”
Czech sculptor, Vaclav Fiala, and his family arrived in Two Rivers last week and he spoke, through Dewane and his interpreter daughter, Rosa, about two of the sculpture’s features atop the table, which has a companion piece in Domazlice.
He noted “The same symbols on the tables, a helmet with stars and a farmers hat, are typical for folklore dress in Domazlice.”
City Manager Greg Buckley says the historical connection between the two cities is very special.
“Now, to have a permanent monument with stone quarried in the Czech Republic, fashioned at artist Fiala’s studio about 30 kilometers from Domazlice, as a permanent part of our downtown symbolizes that friendship, that history,” he said. “And, you know whether you’re Czech, German, French Canadian, you name it, it’s all about our immigrant experience.”
The new Friendship Table will actually be formally dedicated on September 23rd when a group of Czech students come and visit their peers at Two Rivers High School, along with the new mayor and the chairman of the sister city’s committee are also expected to be part of the delegation.
Buckley is also hopeful Fiala is going to return for the celebration.
The sculpture was assembled Saturday after it arrived in the Cool City Friday afternoon.
The comments came during Czech Music In The Park on Sunday.
