News item | 28-09-2021

Poetry, music and the personal stories of individuals who have served peace and freedom – these elements all came together in “Art of Peace”. Around 500 people attended the artistic evening walks which took place in the garden of the Peace Palace from 23 to 26 September 2021. As the visitors walked through the attractively lit garden, they listened to a story or a poem and enjoyed live music thus “Art of Peace” successfully connected artistic elements with the personal stories of people advocating human rights and freedom.  
 
Peace Goddess Irene addressed everyone at the commencement of the route. Participants were then introduced to the Nobel laureate Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary General of the United Nations from 1953 to 1961 and whose career was devoted to dialogue and de-escalation, including during the Suez Canal crisis. The story of Raoul Wallenberg who, as a voluntary envoy of the Swedish government, saved the lives of an estimated 100,000 Jews in Hungary, moved many of the participants. “You have to stand your ground” – that was the conclusion of the impressive story of Max Chotzen and Jos Gemmeke. During the war, whilst connected to the Peace Palace Library, at the same time they were active in the Dutch resistance. Together with colleagues, they printed illegal newspapers on a stencil machine hidden in the basement of the palace. 
 
The Carnegie Foundation, the initiator of this unique walk, hoped that these extraordinary stories and the unique Peace Palace garden would both touch and inspire visitors.  
 
“Art of Peace” was made possible thanks to the practical support of a number of volunteers and the support of the Municipality of The Hague, Gravin van Bylandt Stichting, Province of South Holland and NIBC. The content was developed in collaboration with LUSTR, Firma Mes and STET (The English Theatre). 

Photos: Maurice Haak.
Copyright: Carnegie Foundation – Peace Palace. Use of these photos requires prior written permission.