PROGRESS.— The Greek sculpture of Poseidon is securely anchored and reinforced with a battery of 12 strategically driven steel piles. It can withstand hurricane-force winds, say Julian Zacarias Curi, mayor on leave, and Raúl Pech Figueroa, maritime works contractor, who is responsible for placing the fiberglass figure.
Installed on the western side of the international boardwalk, the sculpture can also withstand the onslaught of storm surges and remain standing, they both emphasized.
The image of the sea god went viral once more on Thursday evening when it was revealed that the work had been “closed” by Profepa Yucatan.
However, following this situation became known on social media, Obdulio Delaney Sanchez Mena, director of the Ecological Police, indicated that Profepa’s notification was on June 24th and that “the sculpture is not closed.” It receives numerous visitors daily and is becoming another attraction in Progreso.
As it was discovered, the incident on June 24th involved officers from that department arriving at the western playground and delivering a notification that was received by Ali Dib Muñoz, director of Cadastre and Federal Zone of the Progreso City Council.
How much did the Poseidon statue in Progreso cost?
Given this, some questions have arisen regarding the Poseidon statue, including its cost, which was $397,000, an amount paid with City Hall resources. It was built by the company Producciones Abbis S. de RL de CV, explains Julián Zacarías, regarding the installation of the five-meter-high, three-tonne sculpture.
The mayor on leave clarifies that there are no plans to install another sculpture on the international or traditional boardwalk and mentions that they are working on the story of Poseidon to share with residents and visitors.
Zacarias Curi was interviewed regarding the stir that Poseidon has caused since its installation at the end of May, a controversy fueled by Hurricane “Beryl,” which has brought national and international attention to both the sculpture and the port. An example of this has been the follow-up given to the “controversy” by national media surrounding the Greek deity.
Reportedly, the statue is a work of Yucatecan artisans. Its installation was already planned in coordination with the Poseidon basketball court built on the western platform. However, the sculpture, Zacarias indicated, was finished too late and installed as soon as it was delivered.
Regarding permits and authorization from Semarnat for the installation of the sculpture, he explains that since 2019 the City Council has begun procedures for everything done in that entire coastal strip, such as the courts, the La Pescadora dock, the installation of the Progreso letters, and the placement of the whale skeleton, among other works that transformed and improved the international boardwalk.
Poseidon resists in Progreso
The contractor, Raúl Pech, explains that placing the sculpture took two weeks to drive 12 steel piles into the ground, which were buried three meters deep and strategically distributed. There are eight external piles and four in the center supporting the sculpture.
The entire structure weighs 15 tons. Its interior is made of fiberglass and concrete, positioned on the piles to ensure it remains fixed and rigid, capable of withstanding winds up to 200 kilometers per hour, a Category 4 hurricane.
“Poseidon is tough. It can withstand hurricanes, north winds, and squalls. It was placed at the end of May, 22 meters from the shore. It is duly marked with buoys. It is something new and spectacular to see how it emerges from the sea; it is undoubtedly an added attraction for the port,” says Raúl Pech.
He comments that Poseidon has attracted various comments, constructive criticism, and all kinds of criticism, capturing national and international attention. “Without a doubt, the mayor who promoted its installation has vision. We must take into account that even Netflix has already shown interest, and that is very positive for promoting Progreso,” says Raúl Pech.
He notes that he has received requests to place a sculpture of the god Chaac at a location on the coast. He did not reveal the location, date, or the company that requested his services.
The “myth” of Poseidon
A source from the company that developed Poseidon explains that it took them two months to manufacture it. On Wednesday, May 29th, four days before the June 2nd elections, the gigantic Greek sculpture of Poseidon appeared on the western beach, seemingly emerging from the Progreso sea.
As soon as the replica of the mythical character was sighted, controversy was not long in coming. Criticisms, voices for and once morest, arose immediately. The sculpture caught the attention of residents and visitors. Some related it to the political campaign, and some even attributed to it the defeat of the PAN candidates and the victory of the Morena candidates.
It was even associated with “Beryl,” the hurricane that hit and devastated islands in the Caribbean Sea but spared Progreso as it passed through as a tropical storm. There were no torrential downpours or dangerous storm surges; the damage was minimal.
Poseidon, standing with his trident, looks out over the city and welcomes the hundreds of passers-by who, before, during, and following “Beryl,” came to the western esplanade to admire the sculpture, record videos, and take photos.
The controversy has been media-driven and, to a certain extent, political. Poseidon has already crossed borders as a result of hundreds of publications on social networks, print, and digital media, which report on the event.
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Poseidon, the Myth of Progreso
The imposing figure of Poseidon, the Greek god of the seas, stands proudly on the western esplanade of Progreso, Yucatan, Mexico. This five-meter-tall, three-tonne fiberglass sculpture has become a focal point of controversy and intrigue since its installation in May 2023.
The Story of Poseidon’s Arrival
The idea to install Poseidon on the Progreso boardwalk was born out of a desire to enhance the city’s appeal and draw in more tourists. The sculpture was created by local artisans and its construction took two months. On May 29, 2023, just four days before the June 2 elections, Poseidon emerged from the sea, as if to watch over the town.
The Controversy
The arrival of Poseidon sparked immediate controversy. Some residents praised the new attraction, believing it would benefit Progreso’s tourism industry. Others questioned the necessity and cost of the sculpture, wondering if it was a wise use of city funds. The sculpture’s appearance during a political campaign led to some speculating that it was a political symbol or a distraction from pressing issues, with some attributing the defeat of the PAN candidates and the victory of the Morena candidates to the sculpture’s presence.
The controversy further intensified with the arrival of Hurricane Beryl, which threatened the Caribbean Sea. Despite the storm’s intensity, Progreso remained largely unscathed, and many saw Poseidon’s presence as a protector.
Poseidon’s Construction and Durability
Poseidon’s creators took great care in ensuring the sculpture’s resilience. The statue’s foundation is secured with 12 steel piles driven three meters into the ground, with eight external piles and four in the center, providing a robust anchor. The entire structure weighs 15 tonnes, with a fiberglass interior reinforced with concrete. This design enables the sculpture to withstand wind speeds of up to 200 kilometers per hour – the equivalent of a Category 4 hurricane.
The sculpture was strategically positioned 22 meters from the shoreline and marked with buoys for navigational safety. It is a testament to the craftsmanship and engineering involved that Poseidon has stood firm once morest the elements.
Poseidon’s Impact on Progreso
Despite the controversy, Poseidon has undoubtedly increased Progreso’s visibility. The sculpture has captured the attention of national and international media, and even Netflix has shown interest in the story. Tourists and residents alike flock to the esplanade to admire the sculpture, take photos, and share their experiences on social media.
However, the controversy surrounding Poseidon raises important questions regarding the use of public funds for art projects and the balance between promoting tourism and addressing pressing community needs. The sculpture’s presence serves as a reminder that art can spark debate and challenge perspectives, while at the same time, it has already had an undeniable impact on Progreso’s visibility and tourism potential.
Future Plans
While there are no plans to install another sculpture on the Progreso boardwalk, the success of Poseidon has inspired consideration of other artistic projects. Notably, the city has received requests to install a sculpture of the god Chaac, the Mayan god of rain. The potential location and timeline for this project are yet to be determined, but it signifies the impact Poseidon has had on the city’s artistic aspirations.
