The renowned Eternal Father statue in Trégastel, located on France's Pink Granite Coast, has once again been defaced with graffiti and colorful drawings. Employees at the aquarium nestled within the rocky chaos where the pristine white statue has stood since 1869 made the discovery on Thursday, August 28th.
The vandalism consists of vibrant drawings and indescribable inscriptions that have marred the statue for the past two days. The statue overlooks the site facing Coz Pors, and the colorful markings are clearly visible against its traditionally immaculate white surface.
This incident appears to be part of what has become an increasingly regular end-of-summer ritual. The statue was similarly "repainted" with graffiti in both 2021 and 2022, also during the late summer season. The pattern suggests a recurring act of vandalism that coincides with the conclusion of the tourist season.
Bénédicte Boiron, vice-president of Lannion Trégor Community for tourism, addressed the situation regarding the statue's restoration. "It's a property of the Agglomeration. The other times it had been repainted afterwards in white. We haven't made a decision yet," she stated, indicating that authorities are still determining how to respond to this latest act of vandalism.
The statue carries significant historical importance, having been created in 1869 at the request of Father Jean-Jacques Bouget. Originally called "the statue of the Good Savior," it was erected with a specific spiritual purpose in mind. According to historical records, the statue was built to "help the sailors of the country and foreigners who visit our shores to raise their thoughts toward God."
The monument has endured various challenges throughout its 155-year history. Originally, the statue was topped with a cross, but numerous acts of vandalism over the years eventually forced local officials to stop replacing it. This decision reflects the ongoing struggle between preserving the statue's original religious symbolism and protecting it from repeated damage.
The current vandalism incident highlights the ongoing challenges faced by historical monuments in tourist areas, particularly those that are easily accessible to the public. The timing of these recurring acts of graffiti, consistently occurring at the end of summer, suggests they may be linked to seasonal tourism patterns or specific groups that visit the area during this period.
