Drac Drama: La Fontaine’s New Home by Summer
- GRENOBLE, France (AP) — Thirty years after the Drac River tragedy claimed the lives of six children during a school outing, the city of Grenoble has announced plans...
- 4, 1994, six students from Notre-Dame de Grenoble External school, along with their chaperone, were swept away by a sudden release of water from an EDF (Électricité de...
- The Grenoble city hall initially informed the families that restoring the fountain might not be feasible. An alternative proposal was made in February to erect a new memorial...
Grenoble to Rebuild Memorial Fountain for Drac River Tragedy Victims
Table of Contents
- Grenoble to Rebuild Memorial Fountain for Drac River Tragedy Victims
- Grenoble to Rebuild Memorial Fountain for Drac River Tragedy Victims: A Q&A
- What is the Drac River tragedy?
- What happened to the memorial fountain dedicated to the victims?
- What is Grenoble doing to address the vandalism?
- Have there been any arrests related to the vandalism?
- What were the initial plans for restoring the fountain?
- What steps are being taken to restore the fountain?
- Where will the rebuilt fountain be located?
- When is the fountain expected to be completed?
- How do the families of the victims feel about the reconstruction?
- Will there be a commemoration event?
- Why is this reconstruction so significant?
- What will be different about the rebuilt fountain?
- Key Timeline of Events
GRENOBLE, France (AP) — Thirty years after the Drac River tragedy claimed the lives of six children during a school outing, the city of Grenoble has announced plans to rebuild a vandalized memorial fountain in its original location. The announcement brings satisfaction to the families of the victims.
On Dec. 4, 1994, six students from Notre-Dame de Grenoble External school, along with their chaperone, were swept away by a sudden release of water from an EDF (Électricité de France) dam while on a field trip to observe beavers. A fountain was erected in Paul mistral Park to honour the young lives lost.However, the memorial was vandalized a year ago, with thieves stealing copper components, prompting a police investigation that yielded no arrests.
Initial Restoration Plans Shifted
The Grenoble city hall initially informed the families that restoring the fountain might not be feasible. An alternative proposal was made in February to erect a new memorial in the Jardin des Plantes, near the fountain of the angel, across from city hall. This plan required approval from French past building architects, a process fraught with delays and uncertainty due to the site’s protected status.
Original Molds Rediscovered
A breakthrough occurred when the Dauphinoise Society of Foundry and Mechanics, located in Saint Sorlin de Morestel, located the original molds used to create the fountain. “This discovery now makes it possible for an identical restoration within deadlines compatible with the commemoration scheduled for December 4,” the city hall wrote in a letter to the families.
The city assures that measures will be taken to enhance the fountain’s security, including reinforcing the sealing of the plates. Currently, municipal services are renovating the fountain’s basin and marble base.If all goes according to plan, the Drac fountain is expected to be returned to its original location in Paul Mistral Park by summer.
Family Expresses Gratitude
Vjoko Pilinger, father of Téva, who perished in the tragedy, expressed relief and gratitude upon hearing the news. “I thought that the mussels had been lost! We found them,so we will be able to redo the fountain identically,in the same place… In any case, the town hall was well dealt with all this.” Pilinger, along with his wife and other families, plans to attend the commemoration on Dec. 4.
Grenoble to Rebuild Memorial Fountain for Drac River Tragedy Victims: A Q&A
What is the Drac River tragedy?
The Drac River tragedy was a tragic incident that occurred on December 4,1994,in Grenoble,France. Six students from Notre-Dame de Grenoble External school and their chaperone were swept away by a sudden release of water from an EDF (Électricité de France) dam while on a school field trip.They were observing beavers.
What happened to the memorial fountain dedicated to the victims?
A memorial fountain was erected in Paul Mistral Park to honour the young lives lost in the Drac River tragedy. However,the memorial was vandalized approximately a year before the declaration covered in the provided text. Thieves stole copper components, which prompted a police investigation.
What is Grenoble doing to address the vandalism?
The city of Grenoble has announced plans to rebuild the vandalized memorial fountain in its original location. This decision brings satisfaction to the families of the victims. The city is working on an identical restoration due to the finding of the molds used for the original fountain.
No, the police investigation yielded no arrests.
What were the initial plans for restoring the fountain?
Initially, Grenoble city hall informed the families that restoring the fountain might not be feasible. An alternative proposal was made to erect a new memorial in the Jardin des Plantes, near the fountain of the angel, across from city hall. This plan required approvals from French past building architects, which was fraught with delay and uncertainty.
What steps are being taken to restore the fountain?
Here’s a breakdown of the restoration process:
Mold Discovery: The Dauphinoise Society of Foundry and Mechanics located the original molds used to create the fountain.
Identical Restoration: The discovery of the molds makes it possible to rebuild the fountain identically.
Enhancing Security: Measures will be taken to improve the fountain’s security,including reinforcing the sealing of the plates.
Renovation: municipal services are currently renovating the fountain’s basin and marble base.
Where will the rebuilt fountain be located?
The fountain is expected to be returned to its original location in Paul Mistral Park.
When is the fountain expected to be completed?
If all goes according to plan, the Drac fountain is expected to be returned to its original location by summer.
How do the families of the victims feel about the reconstruction?
Vjoko Pilinger, father of Téva, expressed relief and gratitude. He was very pleased with the announcement of the fountain’s reconstruction.
Will there be a commemoration event?
Yes, the families of the victims, including Vjoko Pilinger and his wife, plan to attend a commemoration on December 4.
Why is this reconstruction so significant?
The reconstruction is significant for several reasons:
Honoring the Victims: It provides a lasting memorial to the young lives lost in the tragedy.
Closure for Families: It offers a sense of closure and relief to the families of the victims.
* Preservation of Memory: It ensures that the memory of the Drac River tragedy is preserved.
What will be different about the rebuilt fountain?
Even though the reconstruction aims to be identical, the city assures that measures will be taken to improve security. This includes reinforcing the sealing of the plates.
Key Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
| :————– | :——————————————————– |
| December 4, 1994 | Drac River tragedy |
| Approximately a year before the article’s publication | Memorial vandalized by thieves. |
| February | Alternative proposal made to erect a new memorial. |
| TBD | Fountain expected to be returned to its original location by summer |
| December 4 | Commemoration event planned. |