Philippe Petit Recreates Iconic High-Wire Walk at St. John the Divine
- Philippe Petit recreated his famous high-wire act, celebrating 50 years since his original walk between the Twin Towers.
- The performance took place approximately seven miles from the original site, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
- This event honors the legacy of the Twin Towers and showcases Petit's extraordinary talent.
NEW YORK (AP) — Philippe Petit, the renowned tightrope walker, marked the 50th anniversary of his legendary high-wire walk between the twin towers of the World Trade Center with a performance at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. The 74-year-old artist aimed to celebrate the towers' legacy rather than dwell on their tragic destruction during the September 11 attacks. “I don’t have to remind people of the doomed day,” Petit stated, emphasizing the importance of memory in honoring the past. The performance, titled “Towering!”, featured Petit ascending to a perch within the cathedral before executing his daring walk while Grammy-nominated jazz clarinetist Anat Cohen played below. The event was further enhanced by a musical performance from Sting, who sang “Fragile,” and Petit donned a sequined gold tunic during “Fields of Gold.” The production, which Petit conceived and directed, recreated the grandeur of his original 1,300-foot walk, utilizing the cathedral's stunning Gothic architecture. Reflecting on his past, Petit acknowledged the challenges he faced following the success of the Oscar-winning documentary “Man on Wire,” admitting to distancing himself from friends. The performance, which continues for a second night, also included a depiction of his arrest after crossing the towers. Following the event, Petit was honored with a proclamation from New York City Mayor Eric Adams, declaring the day as Philippe Petit Day, recognizing his long-standing connection to the cathedral where he has performed numerous times over the past 40 years.