In the Floralies gardens on Île Notre-Dame, Michel de Broin’s sculpture portrays a tree whose crown plunges into the ground to form an arch, rooted at each end. The artwork, made of concrete and stainless steel, fits harmoniously with the natural greenery of Parc Jean-Drapeau.

Although he has died, Allende is still a vivid source of inspiration for the entire Chilean community residing in Montréal. The artist has interpreted the vigour of this heritage in the figure of the tree, whose powerful roots evoke the importance of transmission, taking up the horticultural metaphor used by Allende himself in his final speech: “I am certain that the seed which we have planted in the good conscience of thousands and thousands of Chileans will not be shriveled forever. They have strength and will be able to dominate us, but social processes can be arrested neither by crime nor force. History is ours, and people make history.” 1

1. Salvador Allende, excerpt from his final speech, Radio Magallanes, 11 September 1973. http://www.marxists.org/archive/allende/1973/september/11.htm

The work celebrates the 100th birthday of Salvador Allende. A physician and politician, Salvador Allende was president of Chile from 1970 to 1973. His mandate ended suddenly on 11 September 1973: a coup d’état led by Augusto Pinochet deposed his socialist government and installed a military dictatorship that lasted 17 years. The artwork is a reminder of the humanitarian and democratic values promoted by Allende.