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(7 Jan 1998) Natural Sound The French are sharing with Japan a symbol of Franco-American friendship known around the world. The original Statue of Liberty - which is considerably smaller than its more famous replica in New York - was being dismantled in Paris on Wednesday. The statue heads to Japan as a display of France's goodwill towards the country, just as the larger statue was a gesture of friendship from France to the United States. The process of dismantling the original version of the Statue of Liberty began in Paris on Wednesday. Work crews took Lady Liberty apart piece-by-piece to prepare her for a month-long journey to Asia. The original Statue - considerably smaller than its replica, the famous landmark that stands in New York Harbour - is being prepared to go on display in Tokyo, Japan. The 11.5 metre (37 foot), 14-tonne statue, whose official title is “Liberty lighting up the world,“ is being taken down from its home of over a century on the Ile des Cygnes in the River Seine. As a gesture of friendship, the French are sending the statue to Japan for a nine-month stay in Tokyo Bay. The statue was originally a gift given to Paris by a private U-S group in 1889 to help the city commemorate the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution. It was created by the man who also sculpted the larger Statue of Liberty - French sculptor Frederic-Auguste Bartholdi. His larger work, which quickly became a symbol for welcoming immigrants who arrived in America from all of the world, was a gift from France celebrating its friendship with the U-S. The statue and its message of freedom will remain on display in Tokyo until January 1999, when it will be taken apart again to return home to Paris. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive:
