VC Bird Monument Statue

Was there ever a man as imposing as Vere Cornwall Bird? Here, at the VC Bird Monument, that question hangs in the air. This brightly colored bust of the late Prime Minister dominates the St. John’s skyline. It’s a vibrant tribute to a man who led Antigua and Barbuda from colonial rule to independence. The VC Bird Monument isn’t just a statue. It’s a symbol of national pride, a beacon of hope erected in 2002, just three years after Bird’s passing. The Cuban artist Andres Gonzalez captured Bird in his prime, a besuited figure with his hand placed thoughtfully on his chest. The statue towers 10 meters (33 feet) high, a testament to Bird’s own impressive height of 2.1 meters (seven feet). Imagine this towering figure leading his nation with strength and conviction. The VC Bird Monument is strategically placed next to the public market, a bustling hub of activity in downtown St. John’s. Nearby, you’ll also find a unique black pineapple, a symbol of Antigua’s distinctive identity and a nod to the island’s rich agricultural heritage. While the plaza surrounding the VC Bird Monument is closed to the public, you can still appreciate its grandeur from a distance. Peer through the railings and imagine the man himself, Vere Cornwall Bird, the father of the nation, standing tall and proud.