Li seûre mène dès hôts bonèts, dès p’titès djins, fêt l’ houp’diguèt
The frown on the faces of dignitaries Is a source of joy for ordinary people
This sculpture in the Place Saint-Barthélemy may be overlooked. The Grand Curtius Museum and the Collegiate Church of Saint Bartholomew attract ample attention. While the museum impresses with its grand mansions and rich collections, the imposing Romanesque church, which was built between the 11th and 12th centuries, is best known for its baptismal font. This goldsmithing masterpiece is often cited as one of the seven wonders of Belgium.
However, this takes us too far away from the sculpture.
Called ‘Les Principautaires’ and designed by Mady Andrien, this sculpture is a tribute to Liège and its proud inhabitants. Firstly, the name recalls the Principality of Liège and the tendency of its people to be proud of their city. Then there is the composition, which depicts the prince-bishops, dignitaries of exaggerated seriousness, on one side and ‘nos binamés Lîdjwès’ (our beloved people of Liège) on the other. The contrast between the jubilant population, who seem to be laughing at the princes, and the princes themselves, who appear very ‘grandiveûs’ (pretentious) from their plinth, is striking.