The Wachters Sculptures – Maasbrug Venlo

De Wachters are four cast iron war memorials located in the municipality of Venlo and designed by the Japanese-American sculptor Shinkichi Tajiri. The statues stand on the Maasbrug between Venlo and Blerick and were designed to commemorate all those who died in World War II. The statues were unveiled by Queen Beatrix on May 2, 2007.

During the gradual liberation of the Netherlands, Americans and British attempted Operation Market Garden on April 17. The Maasbrug in Venlo was of strategic importance, but the Allies met Nazi resistance. From September 13th to November 19th, Venlo and Blerick were constantly bombed by the Americans, but the occupying forces blew up the bridge themselves on November 25th. Only after the war, in 1957, was the Maasbrug between Venlo and Blerick rebuilt.

In collaboration with the Japanese artist Shinkichi Tajiri, who was then living in Maasbree, the municipality of Venlo decided to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bridge by erecting four war memorials. After six years of preparation, paired with initial difficulties and budget deficits, the pictures were unveiled on May 2nd, 2007.

Shinkichi Tajiri himself had served in the US Army during World War II and fought against the Nazis in Italy. After being wounded in the war, he returned to the United States. Frustrated and disappointed with the wartime treatment of the Japanese in America, he moved to France and eventually the Netherlands.

The memorials are four cast iron statues placed on a concrete block. They are around nine meters high, including the base. Each statue is an abstract version of a warrior, often depicted with a shield and a sharp object.

The statues are located on the Maasbrug, which connects the district of Blerick with the city of Venlo. There are two guards at either end of the bridge. Just before the monuments on the Venlo side is the town hall of the municipality of Venlo.

The Guardians warn against violence, aggression and war. Together, the warriors defend the Maasbrug, which was repeatedly bombed during World War II. Each statue has a sword or shield to deter the attacker or to defend himself with.

Each side of the bridge is guarded by a guard. Both the Venlose and Blerick sides have a warrior on the left and right. The bridge is, so to speak, completely controlled by the four.

During the unveiling, fire eaters and good spirits on stilts were deployed to banish evil and rid the bridge of its painful past.

Source: nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Wachters