Focolare Movement

A Peace Garden for the City of Trieste

Dec 15, 2014

November 21, 2014 a Cube of Peace placed in the public garden of the Italian city of Trieste as a visible reminder of peace. Such small public monuments are already found in public locations of other cities around the world.

Dado_della_Pace_Trieste_03“Let this cube be the sign that reminds us that peace is a precious possession, to be cultivated always, with the commitment of everyone.” These were the words of the Deputy Mayor of Trieste, Fabiana Martini, during the inauguration of the “Cube of Peace” garden on November 21, 2014. The steel frame and polycarbonate structure, 60 cm per side, is located in the Muzio de Tommasini Public Garden. Each of the six sides has a motto: We help each other; Forgive others; Be the first to love; Listen to others; Share with others; and Welcome everyone.” Promoted by the Town of Trieste and built by the Focolare’s Action for a United World (AMU) on the hundredth anniversary of World War I, the initiative resulted from a project already launched in other Italian cities such as Trent and Rovigo, but also in more distant lands like Hungary and Pakistan. The aim is to foster peace education, engaging children and teenagers, but also schools, educators, families and adults of all ages who wish to be involved in this important and timely effort. The crowded ceremony was conducted by Roberto Mosca from the United World Project, and enlivened by music and songs from many children, teenagers and young people. Students from every class level and type of school also contributed, along with Municipal Councillors of Public Works, Andrea Dapretto, and Education Councillor Antonella Grim, who stressed the viability of the project, as well as the significance and value of building true relations of peace. Dado_della_Pace_Trieste_02Whoever passes by the “peace garden” with the “cube of peace” at its centre, will be able to almost playfully, spin the cube and begin to build a personal but very important journey of peace. This educational toy was inspired by the Art of Loving proposed by foundress of the Focolare Movement, Chiara Lubich, and it aims at putting into practice the phrase from one of its six sides that comes up with each day’s spin. The cube is part of a broader educational project that has involved many educators, classrooms, especially at the nursery and elementary levels, in a daily journey of raising awareness about peace and solidarity. Source: Town of Trieste Press Office  

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