Artwork
In 1944-1945, as Allied air forces gained air superiority over Europe, the small Eifel town of Kyllburg was in the forefront of Allied strategic bombing raids during World War II. Among the numerous bombing raids, one date stands out in particular: January 8, 1945. Mission #253 was assigned to the American 384th Bombardment Group. The target: the railroad line in Kyllburg. The rail line passes through two tunnels and crosses the Kyll River, making it an important target to disrupt the flow of supplies and reinforcements to the German front lines in the west. On this day, 38 American B-17 bombers dropped their bombs over the railroad line and the village, causing great damage.
The sculpture represents the joint work, cooperation, support and friendship between the two nations of the United States of America and Germany in the years following the war. It also represents an emerging Kyllburg. The American bomb fragments that form the base of the sculpture were found and collected in the village and surrounding hop gardens, hills and river valley. The shrapnel represents destruction, but also the overcoming of tyranny. The background of the bomb crater shows the scars of war and reminds us of the motto “Never again”. The metal flower stands for HOPE. It shows that even in destruction, hope emerges and shapes the future. Where HOPE is, there is life
The Kyllburg Collective is a loose association of several people from all over the world living in Kyllburg. This year they include Victorio Gutierrez (USA), Ulli Seitz (D), Adina Medrut (RO) and Matthias Stumps (D).