Professor Kalm linked Trump’s arch plan to an emperor image — ERR News

In Washington, US, President Donald Trump recently confirmed plans to build an 86-meter-tall triumphal arch. Mart Kalm, a professor at the Estonian Academy of Arts and an architectural historian, linked this initiative to what he believes is Trump’s desire to be an emperor, although the United States is a republic.

As ERR News reports, Kalm noted that the tradition of building triumphal arches dates back to Ancient Rome. Such monuments began to be erected during the Roman Republic, and troops returning to the city after victories passed through them.

Assessment of the project

According to Kalm’s assessment, the era of building triumphal arches has effectively ended: the last of them may have been built around one hundred years ago, and after that such structures were erected only by dictators. He added that the initial designs for the Washington arch combine elements of different triumphal arches.

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The historian called the idea gigantomania, but noted that given the considerable distances in Washington, a structure of this scale may fit the proportions of the urban space.

Historical examples

Kalm called the Arc de Triomphe in Paris the most famous triumphal arch, linking it to Napoleon’s military victories. He also mentioned that Europe has many arches inspired by victories over Napoleon.

The professor called an arch in North Korea, built in 1982 to honor the struggle against Japan, one of the newest such structures. According to him, it was erected by an authoritarian regime. Kalm also mentioned that in 1944, Estonian architect Edgar Kuusik created a design for a victory monument to the Soviet army, which was planned to be placed on Freedom Square in Tallinn.