Invitation to citizens of Sri Lanka to colour Dove of World Peace

ON 15 February this year, we published an interview with the German artist who introduced an art-based global peace diplomacy initiative — where 'doves of peace' - sculptured bronze doves have been sojourning the world for over 25 years.

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Sculptured by German conceptual artist Richard Hillinger, the peace doves have traversed across the globe and received by notable figures - such as the Dalai Lama, the Pope, President Barak Obama, Chancellor Angela Merkel and institutions such as the European Parliament and Amnesty International.

During the tenure of German President Roman Herzog, from 1994 to 1999, the Peace Dove project was first introduced from Germany to the world, and backed by President Herzog the initiative grew as a worldwide endeavour, positioning Germany as a champion of world peace. In 2008 on the 60th anniversary of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, Richard Hillinger sculptured 30 bronze doves symbolising each article of the UN Human Rights Charter. Not restricted merely to famous personalities, the doves have since then been part of the world peace psyche as they have 'flown' around the world, accompanying the travels of diverse individuals. A bronze peace dove 'flew' from Germany to Sri Lanka in 2024 January with Sylvia Nussbaum, a former Air Hostess and champion of humanity.

The photograph below shows the current German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier who first assumed office in 2017, holding the bronze sculpture of the peace dove with German politician and academic, Gesine Schwan.