UNESCO Honors Brancusi's Targu Jiu Sculptures as World Heritage

UNESCO has added Constantin Brancusi's outdoor sculptures in Targu Jiu, Romania, to its World Heritage list. The collection, including the 'Endless Column' and 'Gate of the Kiss,' was created in 1937-1938 as a tribute to World War I soldiers. This recognition emphasizes the importance of preserving these iconic works.

UNESCO has added a series of outdoor sculptures by Romanian modernist master Constantin Brancusi to its prestigious World Heritage list. The sculptures, located in the town of Targu Jiu, include notable works such as the 'Endless Column' and the 'Gate of the Kiss'. These were created between 1937-1938 in honor of World War I soldiers.

The installations, which span a 1.5-km-long axis along Targu Jiu's central Avenue of Heroes, are among the few Brancusi works still in Romania. 'The recognition mandates that we preserve the monumental ensemble for future generations and for cultural memory,' stated Romanian Culture Minister Raluca Turcan.

Brancusi, originally from a small village near the Carpathian Mountains, spent most of his life in Paris, where he became one of the 20th century's most influential artists. Although he offered to leave his works to Romania, the communist government at the time declined. His works are now celebrated worldwide, with recent exhibits in Romania and Paris highlighting his enduring legacy.

(With inputs from agencies.)