Bratislava - An eight-meter statue of Milan Rastislav Štefánik, a significant Slovak figure from the time of the establishment of the mutual Czechoslovak state, arrived in Slovakia today from the Czech Republic. The statue, made by foundry workers from Blansko, is set to be erected in the center of Bratislava near the new building of the Slovak National Theater in spring 2009; until then, it will be gathering patina in one of Bratislava's warehouses. "The work is the culmination of several years of effort by enthusiasts who sought to have a statue of Štefánik standing again in the capital of Slovakia," said Chairman of the Milan Rastislav Štefánik Foundation, Ján Fuska. The production of artistic cast iron in Blansko has a long-standing tradition; it can be found in various corners of Europe. Štefánik is to date the largest work of the local foundry workers. The sculpture is a replica of the Štefánik statues standing in Prague and Paris, which measure only two meters. Therefore, careful planning was necessary before the actual production of the eight-meter copy, aided by computers and several experts from universities. The creators had to consider that the already tall statue would be placed on a five-meter pedestal, so it has reinforced lower parts of the legs to withstand winds of up to 180 kilometers per hour. The three largest parts of the statue were welded from the inside, with the entry point into the hollow interior being the head; the opening was then covered with an aviation helmet. According to historians, Štefánik is one of the most significant Slovaks, having greatly contributed to the birth of Czechoslovakia. He was not only an important soldier but also a diplomat and, last but not least, a scientist. His high-level connections in France were particularly valued, as France had a significant influence after World War I in deciding the nature of the emerging common state of Czechs and Slovaks. Štefánik tragically lost his life while returning from Italy to his homeland in 1919; he died in a plane crash near Bratislava.
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