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- Project Honored In Tuscany, Italy -
- 9/11 Anniversary Gathering To Be Held In Highlands, NJ –
- Fundraiser To Be Held At The New York Stock Exchange -
Red Bank, NJ – September 2, 2004 – The Memoria Project
today provided an update on the status of the memorial creation and
upcoming events.
The Memoria Project is a non-profit organization formed
in 2002 to create a memorial for the victims of the terrorist attacks on
September 11, 2001. The memorial consists of two, 13-foot sculptures
carved in marble on Sandy Hook in the summer of 2002, and five granite
boulders on which the names of all 2,749 victims will be engraved (a
diagram is available for viewing at
www.memoriaproject.com).
Although the centerpiece sculptures are complete, more
work remains in order to complete the memorial. The granite blocks have
been cut and polished in Vermont, and officials of The Memoria Project
are finalizing its list of names in coordination with the New York City
Mayor’s Office. The engraving of the victims’ names is expected to begin
this autumn after additional funding is secured.
On August 29, 2004, Memoria Project artist Stephen
Shaheen and Executive Director Evan Urbania participated in a day-long
exhibit and presentation in the town of Rapolano Terme, in the district
of Siena, Italy. The event was part of the town’s yearly cultural
celebration. At the ceremony, Marcello Sennati and Ampelio Rinaldi, two
Italian stone artisans who assisted Shaheen in sculpting the memorial
were honored for their participation.
“We were honored to be recognized in the community of
Rapolano Terme. Marcello and Ampelio’s hard work and dedication to our
Project helped make our memorial a reality. The Memoria Project joins
the Italian community in saluting them for their generous
contributions,” said Evan Urbania, The Memoria Project’s Executive
Director. The presentation in Rapolano Terme included a slide show and
talk by Stephen Shaheen, as well as emotional commentaries by both
Italian stone carvers.
“In Italy we didn’t see a fraction of what the American
people felt after the attacks,” said Marcello Sennati, holding back
tears. “We were there, and spoke with many people. We could see that
this project was of enormous significance to the community.”
“I have been carving stone for over forty years,” added
Ampelio Rinaldi. “This was by far the most gratifying work I have done
in my life. We have to thank Steve for inviting us to come and
participate.”
The Memoria Project will hold an informal gathering at
the site of the Project’s centerpiece statues at Veteran’s Memorial Park
in Highlands, NJ. The event will take place on Saturday, September 11th,
2004 from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. The Memoria Project has held
gatherings at the memorial site for the past two years in honor of all
the victims of the September 11th terrorist attacks. This year, the
Project intends for the vigil to be light, simple and informal in an
effort to help the community heal, grow and move on.
The Project continues to seek the assistance of
individuals and corporations to complete the memorial by engraving five
large granite blocks with the names of all 9/11 victims. To further this
effort, the Project has secured the New York Stock Exchange as the
location for a major fundraiser to be held in the spring of 2005. The
event intends to raise awareness among Wall Street, financial services
employees and New York/North New Jersey residents affected by 9/11. More
details and the names of special guests will be released as the event
approaches.
About The Memoria Project
During the summer of 2002, The Memoria Project was
formed by local residents in order to respond to the events of 9/11 and
bring together a torn community in an effort to help heal. Through the
help of many generous individuals and corporations, The Memoria Project
carved two 20-ton marble statues on Sandy Hook, Gateway National
Recreation Area. The statues were carved outdoors, where visitors and
surviving family members could watch and participate. In addition, The
Project ran over 35 educational programs surrounding the creation of
these statues including courses in sculpture and art history, as well as
special programs for those who lost loved ones on 9/11.
The Project continues to seek assistance from the area’s
corporations and individuals to complete the project and engrave the
names of all 9/11 victims. Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to
P.O. Box 787, Red Bank, NJ 07701. Please contact the project for a press
pass to the upcoming fundraiser. Visit
www.memoriaproject.com for more information.
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