LOS ANGELES, July 10th, 2017 – The inaugural L.A. Freedom Festival on July 4th, 2017, became one of the most significant cultural events in U.S. history, when an estimated crowd of 75,000 people showed up for the official unveiling of the Freedom Sculpture, a monument to religious freedom, cultural diversity and inclusiveness.
The Freedom Sculpture had already broken records as the most widely crowd-supported monumental gift in U.S. History by gathering support from over a million people from across America and over 50 countries around the world. Now, with 75,000 people showing up to welcome the Freedom Sculpture, and the reception it received from state and city officials, we are likely looking at a national landmark.
From there the official unveiling ceremony began with Farhang Vice Chairman Farhad Mohit speaking about the significance of this monumental gift to Los Angeles and to California, which ended with this refrain: “From this Independence Day forth, let the Freedom Sculpture be a reminder that we hold these truths to be self-evident that religious freedom, cultural diversity, and inclusiveness are the universally shared humanitarian values that we embody in Los Angeles, uphold in California, and that truly make America great in the eyes of the whole world!”
From there the official unveiling ceremony began with Farhang Vice Chairman Farhad Mohit speaking about the significance of this monumental gift to Los Angeles and to California, which ended with this refrain: “From this Independence Day forth, let the Freedom Sculpture be a reminder that we hold these truths to be self-evident that religious freedom, cultural diversity, and inclusiveness are the universally shared humanitarian values that we embody in Los Angeles, uphold in California, and that truly make America great in the eyes of the whole world!”
Sculpture artist Cecil Balmond spoke about the timeless message of the human rights that Cyrus the Great had etched into a clay cylinder some 2,500 years ago that had inspired the double cylindrical design of the Freedom Sculpture, telling the audience that his public artwork was a large-scale modern interpretation of that Cyrus Cylinder, widely known as the first declaration of human rights.
State and city officials sent messages of acceptance and support. California Governor Jerry Brown was first with a proclamation that read in part, “the Freedom Sculpture is the ideal monument to represent what California embodies, a state which actively embraces and values diversity. I thank the Iranian-American community for leading the diverse group of supporters who have come together to make this monumental gift a reality.”
Then came 5th District Councilmen, Paul Koretz, in whose district the Freedom Sculpture will stand forever more. He spoke about his support of the project and ended with his own proclamation, signed by all 15 Los Angeles City Councilmen, that read in part: “This monumental sculpture is a historic gift to the City of Los Angeles symbolizing freedom, multicultural coexistence, and respect for diversity, highlighting American values embodied by the kaleidoscope of people and cultures who live harmoniously together in greater Los Angeles.”
Finally it was the Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s turn to show his gratitude by thanking the Farhang Foundation for “this beautiful piece of art that celebrates religious freedom, multiculturalism and inclusiveness, ideals shared by people from all around the world and throughout all of history, from Cyrus the Great in Persia to America’s Founding Fathers that we celebrate today.”
At approximately 9:00 pm, the dramatic unveiling began with high-tech smoke and flashing lights, while a large crane pulled off the gold and navy blue drape to reveal the gigantic public art piece. Underneath the flowing drape revealed the 16 foot high and 20-feet long, 10-ton steel monument. A visceral reaction was felt throughout the crowd as guests gasped and snapped photos and videos of the sculpture, which some are calling a “Statue of Liberty” of the West Coast.
Immediately following the unveiling, high tech fireworks were lit behind the sculpture for a spectacular 4th of July celebration.
News crews and photographers from Associated Press, ABC, NBC, KTLA, BBC, CBS, UNIVISION KIRN, NPR, KNX, KPCC among others reported on the festival. |
