Places of Independence - Exeter
We recently took part in Lviv City of Literature’s project 'Places of Independence' which saw several UNESCO Cities of Literature sharing a piece of their city that to them represents independence and freedom.
During the 1942 blitz, Exeter was targeted due to its rich cultural history. After experiencing city-wide devastation, Exeter became entwined with the rising Phoenix, thanks largely to Thomas Sharp’s published plan to rebuild the city. This piece of architectural literature inspired hope in the people of Exeter that a post-war revitalisation was possible, flipping the fiery memories of the blitz only a few years prior into a roaring image of freedom.
The phoenix statue we are highlighting was built in 1957 as a reminder of this revitalisation plan and post-war independence, it now sits proudly in the centre of the city at Princesshay shopping centre.
Exeter’s connection to the emblematic phoenix continues to burn, especially in the cultural scene of the city thanks to the opening of the Exeter Phoenix arts venue in the 90s. Since 2023, Exeter Phoenix has also served as Exeter City of Literature’s home!
Lviv is hosting an outdoor exhibition of each city's submissions, so Exeter's phoenix-fuelled history proudly stands alongside other Cities of Literature like Quebec, Odesa, and Milan.
Contextual information taken from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exeter_Blitz
Literary connection here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Exeter-Phoenix-Rebuilding-Thomas-Sharp/dp/B0000EFZJ9
Statue information from: https://www.flickr.com/photos/tollhouses/3604267948
Photos: Taken by Exeter City of Literature & Lviv City of Literature
