Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Nearly 100-year-old Dante monument's connection to Belle Isle is somewhat obscure
(Detroit Free Press) One of the beauties of public art is that it both tells us who we are and reminds us of who we were.
Backtrack a century, and we were irate about a bust of the great poet Dante Alighieri, ordered in tribute by a largely immigrant Italian American population.
Retreat to Thursday on Belle Isle, and people were jubilant over the refurbishing of a better bust, a finished project unveiled with a mayoral proclamation and an authentic Italian Carabinieri officer in a majestic plumed hat.
Dante, generally known in English by his first name, now reigns above the corner of Vista and Central avenues with his restored white head and shoulders atop a new, light gray pedestal and base. ..................(more)
https://www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/neal-rubin/2024/09/15/dante-alighieri-monument-bust-belle-isle-history/75198428007/