Terry Gilliam unveils neon sign in the Old Town

February 12, 2016 8:09 pm

Former Python star Terry Gilliam is well-known for quoting Don Quixote and today he came to Edinburgh to unveil a 10 metre long neon sign with a quote about love just ahead of St Valentine’s Day.

The quote is : “I shall tear up trees with my bare teeth! I shall crush mountains with my fists!

I shall go crazy – for love!”

Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust run the Words on the Street project to celebrate words and books, their power and the place they have in Edinburgh.

Edinburgh’s Canongate Books published Gilliam’s autobiography Gilliamesque last year.

Terry Gilliam said: “I chose that quote because it represents the heart of my 25 year cinematic quest, which I am still on, to make The Man Who Killed Don Quixote.”

Ali Bowden, Director, Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust said: “It’s fantastic to have Terry Gilliam working with us and sharing his love for Don Quixote with the people of Edinburgh. This is truly a unique way to mark Valentine’s Day, and the perfect way for this City of Literature to celebrate its amazing publishing heritage.”

The Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh the Rt Hon Donald Wilson commented: “Edinburgh has a wonderful rich literary history as UNESCO’s very first City of Literature – the very streets of the city have inspired writers over the centuries. This light installation by the City of Literature Trust and Terry Gilliam, not only celebrates love in time for Valentine’s Day this year but emphasises that we are a city that cherishes books, words and ideas.”