M: If liberty had a shape, this might be it.
F: The architect Arno Brandlhuber created his very own interpretation of Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty. The sculpture, made of rough concrete, is part of the architectural project "16 Stops", which was created as part of the Rems Valley Horticultural Show in 2019.
M: Probably the most famous portrayal of Libertas is the Statue of Liberty in New York harbour. It's easy to see the similarities: a crown on her head, a book in her left hand, and in her right hand, a torch raised aloft.
F: The "Statue of Liberty" is meant to commemorate the US Declaration of Independence, while our local Libertas is also a reminder of a "fight for freedom".
M: Although on rather a different level.
F: For decades, the local community campaigned to have the route of the state highway Bundesstrasse 29 moved out of the village. Wouldn't it be better to have a bypass rather than a major road running through the centre? But transport ministers came and went, and so did their promises and pledges. In the end, up to 30,000 vehicles a day were thundering through the village.
M: And now we've come full circle between New York and Mögglingen, at least in our imagination: to lend weight to the demand for a bypass, a citizens' action group erected a replica of New York's Lady Liberty at the entrance to the village. It was much smaller than the original, but no less liberty-conscious.
F: In 2019, the time had finally come, and the local bypass was inaugurated. An open road for free citizens. But let's not forget – Libertas is a Roman goddess! Which is why we're going to quote the Roman philosopher Cicero at this point:
M: "We are chained to laws in order to be free."
F: Which is to say: some people aren't good at handling freedom. And that's why there's a speed limit on the bypass.
Fotos: © Jürgen Bahnmayer
