Latest news with #MariannePitzen
Korea Herald
30-06-2025
- General
- Korea Herald
Statue of Peace finds permanent home in Bonn
Despite ongoing diplomatic tension, German museum offers lasting home to statue symbolizing Japanese wartime abuse of women BONN, Germany — On the count of three, 'Frieden' — the German word for 'peace' — echoed through a crowd of 50 people gathered on a sunny Saturday afternoon in Bonn. As the Statue of Peace emerged from beneath a purple veil, paper butterflies fluttered in the sunlight behind the bronze figure, symbolizing remembrance and resistance. The unveiling marked the official installation of a statue commemorating the victims of Japan's wartime military sexual slavery, euphemistically referred to as 'comfort women.' Its journey to a permanent home has been long and fraught, with activists criticizing what they describe as persistent interference by the Japanese government to prevent its erection. After four years of displacement from Dresden to Cologne, the statue has now found a permanent home at the Bonn Women's Museum, the world's first museum dedicated to women's art and history, established in 1981. Marianne Pitzen, founder and director of the museum, offered to host the statue despite ongoing diplomatic tension, saying 'women's honor prevails over Japan's claims that it had not committed such wartime sexual violence.' 'It (placing the statue here) is a sign of solidarity. We have the power to end the wars. It is really important that we fight for freedom and against violence,' Pitzen told The Korea Herald after the ceremony, calling the statue living proof of resistance against war. Named Dongmai, the memorial was first displayed at a museum in Dresden in April 2021, then followed by a brief exhibition in Wolfsburg the next year. For much of the time, however, it remained in storage. In March, it was exhibited for three months in front of the Cologne NS Documentation Center before finally finding a permanent home in Bonn. In Europe, there are currently six Statues of Peace — five in Germany and one in Italy — with Germany becoming a key battleground in the fight to preserve the memory of wartime sexual slavery and seek justice for its victims. 'None of the statues have had it easy due to the Japanese government's continued interference. Statues were erected only to be taken down, put into storage and moved again,' said Yee Kyung-hee, president of the Masan-Changwon-Jinhae Civil Assembly for Japanese Military Sexual Slaves, an advocacy group supporting the victims. She traveled from Korea for the unveiling. 'Beyond Korea-Japan relations, this is an international issue — a matter of whether women's rights are upheld,' she said, pointing to ongoing wars around the world where women continue to fall victim to sexual violence. Indeed, the statue has faced numerous challenges both in Korea and Germany. In Korea, there have been multiple reports of vandalism and incidents where victims were publicly defamed. In Berlin, the statue, installed in 2020, has repeatedly come under threat of removal, amid alleged diplomatic pressure from the Japanese government on the Berlin city government and the district of Mitte. The Berlin statue is the only one installed on public land, with all others standing on private property. Just a day before the unveiling in Bonn, Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reportedly expressed 'strong regret' over the statue's permanent placement, stating it would continue demanding 'appropriate responses' from relevant parties. Han Jung-hwa, chair of Korea Verband, a Berlin-based civic group responsible for the statue in Berlin, expressed frustration that the issue continues to be politicized. 'Regardless of political stance, this is a matter of humanity,' Han said. 'We hope that the statue spreads a message of peace.' Following the passing of Lee Ok-sun, aged 97, in May, only six registered survivors remain in South Korea, most in their late 90s and in frail health. Saturday's event also featured performances by a Korean artist collective, The Fifth Voice, invited by the Masan-Changwon-Jinhae citizens' group. Artists Han Dae-soo, Jang Soon-hyang and Bae Dallae each performed solo pieces through ritual, dance and performance art to honor the victims and convey their enduring pain. 'It is very beautiful and moving. What I like most is the caring and soft way of honoring the survivors,' said Julia Sattler, 37, a Bonn resident watching the performances. 'I am happy that the statue has found a home here, a symbol of survivors of violence.' Among the attendees were Koreans living in Germany. Jung Jina, 39, said that the statue's presence in a country that has publicly acknowledged and apologized for its wartime atrocities makes it particularly meaningful. 'As Japan is still trying to block the installation of peace statues across Germany, I hope this statue helps raise awareness among Europeans. That would bring great comfort to the victims,' she said. At the end of the ceremony, participants waved strips of white fabric and danced along a long white cotton banner, which gradually evolved into a traditional Korean circle dance, ganggangsullae, performed in remembrance and honor of the victims. The Fifth Voice began their tour on Friday in Frankfurt, followed by performances in Bonn and Kassel. The tour will conclude with a final performance on Thursday in Berlin in front of the city's own Statue of Peace.
See - Sada Elbalad
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
Empowerment Through Art: Egypt and Germany Unite at 3rd Edition of Her Art Forum at GEM on May 16
Yara Sameh The third edition of the Empowerment Her Art Forum (EHAF), organized by the Art Today Foundation for Arts, will be held at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) from May 16 to 20. This event will unite a distinguished group of female artists from around the globe, alongside ambassadors, diplomats, and notable figures from the realms of art, media, and culture. The Empowerment Her Art Forum serves as an international celebration of women's artistic achievements worldwide. Six talented artists from Germany—Marianne Pitzen, Andrea Isa, Consuelo Méndez, Daniela Flörsheim, Karola Teschler, and Yasemin Yilmaz—will showcase their work at the Grand Egyptian Museum. In return, six Egyptian artists will be welcomed in 2026 as part of the new initiative WE – Women in Exchange at the Women's Museum in Bonn. A highlight of this year's forum will be the recognition of Marianne Pitzen, the founder of the world's first women's museum in Bonn. Her decades-long commitment to promoting female art and developing international support programs makes her the ideal guest of honor for the forum. "We are delighted to be in Egypt and to exhibit our artworks at such an outstanding venue as GEM, and to use this opportunity to meet and network with art and artists from Egypt and around the world. Therefore, participating in such a significant event as EHAF 3 is particularly important for us artists." Pointed out Yasemin Yilmaz, one of the German artists participating in the event. This year's edition is held under the patronage of the Egyptian Ministries of Environment, Social Solidarity, Culture, and Youth & Sports. The forum aims to emphasize the crucial role of art as a powerful tool for women's empowerment, providing a dynamic platform that includes a visual art exhibition featuring exceptional works, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and live painting sessions. The event seeks to encourage cultural exchange and promote the values of peace, justice, and equality through creativity. Artist Sherine Badr, Founder and CEO of the Art Today Foundation, highlighted that the forum transcends a mere art event, evolving into a genuine platform for transformation and empowerment. Badr stated, 'We are not only celebrating creativity; we are dedicated to empowering female artists and providing them with the recognition and visibility they deserve by illuminating their inspiring journeys.' EHAF 2025 is supported by several esteemed institutions and organizations, including the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Social Solidarity, UNHCR, UN Women, the Spanish Embassy, the Italian Cultural Institute in Cairo, and the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center. The German artist Yasemin Yilmaz is among the curators of this year's edition. Additional support comes from Rosa Flowers, Sanad Foundation, and Fresh Farm, with EgyptAir serving as the official carrier. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War
