Installed in 1982, the 2.8-metre bronze ‘Hämmelsmarsch’ sculpture represents Luxembourg’s traditional mutton parade. The sculpture was made by Luxembourgish sculptor Wil Lofy and displays a music band including an accordion player, a drummer, a tuba player and a horn player with some children and of course, sheep.
With 40 years of weathering, the sculpture required some restorative work and was sent to St. Rémy-les-Chévreuse, near Paris, for repairs.
The green patina and crust were removed with a so-called ‘micro-exfoliant.’ Then, the bronze parts, which had corroded, as well as the water pipes in the sculpture, were repaired.
Afterwards, a new patina was applied to the entire surface of the bronze, resulting in a darker brown tone for the musicians, children, and sheep, and a more golden tone for the instruments.
Although the sculpture was reinstalled on Tuesday, 19 March, the official inauguration was planned for 20 March, the official day of the mutton parade.
