More than forty years after the
Ruta de la Amistad sculptures were installed in tribute to the 1968 Olympics, they are being conserved as an important part of the urban landscape of Mexico City and of the history of the country. On October 12, Watch Day took place to celebrate the conservation of the Ruta de la Amistad. Time capsules were installed in restored sculptures, in the presence of representatives from the donor countries, Patronato Ruta de la Amistad, and World Monuments Fund. The activities culminated in a massive bike tour, “Rodando por la Nueva Ruta de la Amistad,” on a route that passed by twelve of the restored sculptures. This vibrant event has helped to draw renewed attention to the work needed to preserve the remaining sculptures and to the historical importance of these works of art.
The sculptures of Ruta de la Amistad, such as this one by Alexander Calder, are iconic elements of Mexico City’s historic urban landscape and provided a dramatic backdrop to the Watch Day bike tour.
Signs were erected along major intersections to define the route of a Ruta de la Amistad bike tour organized on October 12, 2012. More than 1,500 cyclists signed up for the ride.
Cyclists enjoyed a car-free ride along the tour route on the last weekend before Watch Day.
The tour route “Rodando por la Nueva Ruta de la Amistad” passed by twelve of the restored sculptures.
Most of the sculptures are being relocated to two cloverleaf interchanges along the route, creating clustered ensembles that ensure the protection and accessibility of the works of art.
Commuters admire models of the sculptures of the Ruta de la Amistad installed in the Pino Suárez metro station.
Promotional signs explaining the scope of the project were installed throughout Mexico City, and information was posted in the city’s transit system, reaching a large audience.
Rudolf Knoblauch, Ambassador of Switzerland to Mexico, and Bonnie Burnham, President and Chief Executive Officer of World Monuments Fund, helped place a time capsule in the interior of "El Ancla" by Swiss sculptor Willi Gutmann.
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