Fifty years after his legendary high-wire walk between the twin towers of New York’s World Trade Center, Philippe Petit recreated the daring stunt at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, located about 7 miles north of the original site. The 74-year-old artist sought to celebrate the “glorious days of the twin towers,” rather than focus on their tragic end following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.
“I don’t have to remind people of the doomed day,” Petit told The Associated Press after Wednesday’s performance. He emphasized his desire to honor both his historic achievement and the legacy of the towers.
The performance, titled “Towering!!,” re-enacted Petit’s unauthorized walk from August 7, 1974. Ascending to his perch inside the cathedral and reflecting on past memories, Petit walked the wire as Grammy-nominated jazz clarinetist Anat Cohen played below. Sting’s performance of “Fragile” and a later rendition of “Fields of Gold” added to the ambiance.
Utilizing the stunning visual and acoustic splendor of the world’s largest Gothic cathedral, Petit’s production brought the grandeur of his 1,300-foot (400-meter) walk to life. The show, conceived and directed by Petit, included a series of short scenes that depicted his historic feat.
Petit also addressed his arrest following the original walk and reflected on his experience with the Oscar-winning documentary “Man on Wire,” admitting to past mistakes, including distancing himself from friends.
In recognition of his contributions, Petit received a proclamation from New York City Mayor Eric Adams declaring the day as Philippe Petit Day. Petit, who has been an artist in residence at St. John the Divine for over 40 years, has performed there 23 times to support the cathedral.
