Torch of Friendship

The Torch of Friendship, "La Antorcha de la Amistad" in Spanish, is a large sculpture created by Mexican artist Enrique Carbjal González (b. 1947), who goes by the name Sebastián. The sculpture, which is almost 65 feet tall and weighs over 45 tons, consists of two iron columns that rise until they are connected by a curled "bridge." Unveiled to the public on June 27, 2002, it symbolizes the friendship between Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It is now one of the city's most well-known landmarks.

A local organization of business professionals called the Asociacin de Empresarios Mexicanos commissioned the work as gift to the city to represent the cooperation and close relationship between the three countries. The bright red sculpture stands prominently in the center of a traffic circle in the heart of downtown near the famed riverwalk. Not everyone approved, however. Some did not like its design or questioned the use of public funds to erect it. Others objected to the location itself because the site may have been where captured defenders of the Alamo were executed. In 2019, the sculpture was repainted. It has been vandalized with graffiti a couple of times since then.

Sebastián was born in Camargo, Chihuahua in 1947. His large sculptures can be seen throughout Mexico and around the world. One of his most famous works is the "Cabeza de Caballo" (horse's head) in Mexico City. Sebastián also creates smaller sculptures and other forms of art including furniture, paintings, and jewelry.

Martin, Deborah. "San Antonio to celebrate ‘Torch of Friendship’ artist in citywide exhibit." My San Antonio. September 3, 2019. https://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/arts-culture/article/San-Antonio-to-celebrate-Torch-of-14409223.php.

"San Antonio’s ‘Torch of Friendship’ gets 65 shades of gray." June 27, 2019. https://www.ktsa.com/san-antonios-torch-of-friendship-has-a-different-look.

"The Torch of Friendship Unveiled on this Day." Memories of San Antonio. Accessed March 16, 2023. https://memoriesofsanantonio.com/2022/06/27/the-torch-of-friendship-unveiled-on-this-day.