On Saturday, March 2, the inauguration of the “Umleitung” Monument (Detour, in German) took place at Esculturas Parque Pedras do Silêncio, in Nova Petrópolis. The work, designed in partnership with German artist Hermann Josef Wilhelm, pays homage to the Bicentenary of German Immigration, celebrated in 2024.
The inauguration was attended by a delegation of 19 people from the German city of Emmelshausen, a sister city of Nova Petrópolis. The group came to Brazil to participate in the Bicentennial celebrations and the 69th anniversary of Nova Petrópolis. The group’s members include artist Hermann Josef Wilhelm and Emmelshausen councilor Alfred Muders.
Among the Brazilian authorities, the mayor of Nova Petrópolis, Jorge Darlei Wolf, the vice-mayor Martim Wissmann, the director of Heritage of the State Secretariat of Culture, Eduardo Hahn, and the owner of Esculturas Parque, Valmor Heckler. In addition to representing the State Government, Eduardo Hahn is part of the Official Bicentennial Commission in Rio Grande do Sul.
Before the unveiling of the monument, guests listened to an ecumenical message given by pastor Leandro Born and followed a guided tour of the park, made up of dozens of sculptures that depict German immigration to the region.
Along with the inauguration, Esculturas Parque promoted the closure of a “time capsule”, with various current records. The material will be recovered in the year 2049, after 25 years. A performance by the Sonnenschein Folk Dance Group concluded the ceremony. The Umleitung Monument is sponsored by Sicredi Pioneira.
