A monumental bronze sculpture by renowned Basque artist Zigor is set to be unveiled at Bayonne's new media library on October 23, but its €133,000 price tag has sparked fierce criticism from opposition city council member Étienne Boutonnet. The 11-foot-tall artwork, titled "The Tree of Knowledge," will be inaugurated alongside the opening of the city's future media library, marking the first time the celebrated Gipuzkoan artist's work will be prominently displayed in the Labourdin city.
Kepa Akixo, known professionally as Zigor, was born in Aretxabaleta, Gipuzkoa in 1947 and is considered one of the most important sculptors in the Basque region. The bronze sculpture, standing 3.40 meters high, symbolizes knowledge and will be positioned on the plaza in front of the new media library. While no one contests the artistic value of having such a prestigious work in the city, the cost has become a contentious political issue.
During the October 16 city council meeting, Boutonnet, a former member of the majority party, expressed his shock at discovering the sculpture's cost. He directly challenged Mayor Jean-René Etchegaray, stating: "This city council delegated to you the power to conclude public contracts below certain thresholds. This delegation was, it seems to me, intended to simplify the daily management of the city. However, you decided alone, arbitrarily, to spend €133,000 on a monumental sculpture."
The opposition councilman accused the mayor of taking liberties with public funds to complete what he called his "Valley of Kings," while simultaneously demanding that local associations tighten their belts and leaving peripheral neighborhoods waiting for infrastructure work that never materializes. Boutonnet criticized the apparent contradiction in city spending priorities, sarcastically noting: "You explained to us just a few months ago that we absolutely had to find €3 million in savings. But here, it's always the same: when you want something, you can do it, and when something tickles your fancy, you know where to find the money."
Mayor Etchegaray appeared unfazed by the attack and responded by asking if Boutonnet was finished before defending the purchase. "You've hit on a subject that's close to my heart. You were wrong to ask this question," the mayor replied. He emphasized Zigor's status as a great Basque artist and noted that the sculptor has also donated several of his works to the Basque Museum, demonstrating his commitment to the region's cultural heritage.
The mayor drew parallels to another significant public art acquisition, referencing the sculpture by Nestor Basterretxea, another prominent sculptor from the southern Basque provinces, which is installed on Pedros Quay near city hall. Etchegaray assured the council that the city would seek private sponsors for the project, stating: "I can reassure you that it won't be the city's budget that will have to bear this cost."
To finance the sculpture, the municipality plans to rely on its endowment fund called "Bayonne Basque Country Cultures," which facilitates cultural projects through private patronage. The mayor expressed confidence in the funding strategy, concluding: "If we are certain we can install this statue, it's because we have the certainty that it can be financed by patrons." This approach mirrors the successful funding model used for the Basterretxea sculpture, suggesting that private cultural philanthropy will cover the substantial cost rather than municipal taxpayers.
