We want to give you an update on how our plans have progressed over the last month.
First of all, we want to express our gratitude for the donations received so far for the statue of Jesus in Limbiki cemetery! It is a good foundation for our aim.
A short time after Martinš’ funeral we met at the cemetery with representatives from the “Iļģi” social care centre and discussed the intention to erect a monument there. The head of the cemetery was initially very skeptical towards about the plan. However, already in the course of the conversation we felt that he started to embrace the idea.
We have prepared a pdf file with a summary of this project and additional background information – it is available in German and Latvian.
Also at the end of May we drove to the Art Park Pedvale in order to meet with its director. Ojars Feldbergs is a well known Latvian sculptor, who for many years has gathered artists from all over the world to exhibit their work in the park. Aija also realised two art projects there. During this meeting, we hoped to gain support in finding a suitable artist to create the statue of Jesus. After contemplating this idea for some time, Feldbergs expressed his intention to create a draft design of the sculpture himself. This filled us with joy and we are eager to see his idea. We hope that it will adequately reflect Martinš’ last wish. Many questions and uncertainties still remain, but the first steps have been taken and we are on our way.
In the course of our conversation with Feldbergs we also understood that our initial time frame for this project was rather naive and unrealistic. The sketch will be finalised by autumn, then a full-scale model needs to be prepared, and only then the stonemason starts his work.
Nevertheless, we want to celebrate Martinš’ birthday on August 27 – without a statue, but with his friends, congregation, and other people who were close to him. After a memorial service, held by Jürgen Philipps at the cemetery, we will gather at a suitable spot nearby to be together and to remember Mārtiņš.
It would be nice if you, too, could be with us on this day! Please let us know if you are interested in attending this event.
Sincerely yours,
Gita, Tabita and Toms