Authorities in both Metz and Sierck-les-Bains have decided to cancel their ice sculpture events out of respect to the two-year-old boy who died in a tragic accident on Sunday. The Metz traders’ federation confirmed its cancellation of its events planned for Saturday on Place de la République on Tuesday morning.
According to Républicain Lorrain, the sculptor in question accepted the cancellation as a symbol of compassion after the ice sculpture on Place Guillaume II had collapsed and crushed the toddler. Jean Charles Lemoy wrote on social media:"Out of respect towards the grieving Luxembourgish family and in agreement with the Metz traders’ federation, we have cancelled our ice sculpture events for next Saturday.”
Sculptor Sylvain Divo followed his lead and cancelled the ice sculpture event in Sierck-les-Bains, a town based at the border with Luxembourg, in collaboration with local authorities. Divo wrote: “After consulting the municipal council, I will not be sculpting ice on Saturday, but instead wood, out of solidarity and in respect of the young boy who died in Luxembourg.”
Divo also presented his concern at ensuring safety for Christmas market visitors, adding that when he sculpts two ice sculptures on 13 December, he will adapt to reasonable heights and the sculpture will be cordoned off. He will also sculpt an angel in memory of the toddler.
Commenting on the matter on Facebook, Divo added that he believed the public should not be permitted to approach such delicate and tall structures.
