Photo by Adam Gray. Copyright 2025 The AP
The project will be pre-recorded and aired on ABC as part of a special 25-hour marathon timed to coincide with Independence Day on July 4.
The organizers describe the production as a “monumental work of art” designed to reveal a new side of the Statue of Liberty—a gift from France to the United States and one of the most powerful symbols of American identity, according to euronews.
“The Statue of Liberty will be presented to the public in a way it has never been seen before—in an interpretation that highlights its emotional and symbolic power,” the French Consulate in New York stated.
According to French Consul Cédric Furisco, the project is conceived as a gesture of historical continuity and cultural closeness between the two countries. “Our friendship began 250 years ago and remains strong and deep. We wanted to create something truly memorable,” he noted in comments to AFP.
The initiative is fully funded by private patrons. Its implementation required special permission from the U.S. National Park Service, which is responsible for the monument’s preservation. The approval process took several months.
The Statue of Liberty—the work of French sculptor Auguste Bartholdi, with engineering contributions from Gustave Eiffel—was ceremonially presented to the United States in 1886 and remains one of the country’s most iconic symbols today.
The anniversary celebrations are also accompanied by aerial displays. In early June, the “Patrouille de France” aerobatic team flew over Manhattan, painting the sky in the colors of the French flag. Another flyover is scheduled for July 4.
The operation involves eight Alpha Jet aircraft, an A400M transport aircraft, and backup aircraft. In total, there are about 85 military personnel. French and U.S. symbols have been painted on parts of the aircraft as a sign of the joint celebration.
