The Children of Calais, a sculpture in Saffron Walden, by Ian Volter

"The Children of Calais portrays six British children as refugees caught in the present migration crisis.  Their poses echo Rodin's famous The Burghers of Calais, completed in 1895.

Rodin's solemn composition commemorates an event during 'The Siege of Calais' in 1347.  The English King offered to spare the lives of the Calais citizens on condition that six of its Burghers would surrender themselves.  Although they expected to be executed, the Burghers' lives were spared by the intervention of the English Queen.

The Children of Calais evokes a parallel narrative: the desperate situation of the young refugees, and the potential of humanity to yet hold sway".

Source:-  Information board on site