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Philippe Petit commemorates 50th anniversary by recreating high-wire walk between World Trade Center’s twin towers

Fifty years after his historic tightrope walk between the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, Philippe Petit recreated the daring stunt about 7 miles north of the original location at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. At 74, Petit aimed to commemorate the awe-inspiring days of the twin towers, shifting the focus away from the tragic events of September 11, 2001. His performance, titled “Towering!!,” paid tribute to his incredible feat and the legacy of the towers, emphasizing the importance of preserving memories and history even when the physical structures are no longer present.

During the performance, which mimicked his unauthorized high-wire walk on August 7, 1974, Petit harnessed the grandeur of the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, walking 1,300 feet above the ground. Accompanied by Grammy-nominated jazz clarinetist Anat Cohen and music icon Sting, Petit recreated the essence of his historic walk while adding modern artistic elements to enhance the experience.

Petit’s production included various scenes that brought his 1974 feat to life, recounting his arrest after crossing the towers and acknowledging the impact of the Oscar-winning documentary “Man on Wire” that documented his famous walk. Reflecting on the past, Petit admitted to his mistreatment of friends, including his best friend Jean-Louis Blondeau, the mastermind behind his famous feat.

Following his captivating performance, Philippe Petit was honored with a proclamation from the office of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, declaring the day as Philippe Petit Day. Having been an artist in residence at St. John the Divine for over 40 years and having performed 23 times in support of the cathedral, Petit’s recreation of his historic walk served as a remarkable tribute to an iconic moment in history.

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