New Update on 07 November 2007
PRESS RELEASE
The African stone is on the way!
Wolfgang von Schwarzenfeld continues his global art Projekt in Berlin Tiergarten. The black granite block with the name "hope" represents the African continent and comes from South Africa. It is the fourth of five stones that will be placed in Tiergarten near the Goethe monument.
Each of the monoliths corresponds with a “sister stone” on the five continents. The pairs of stones from the continents represent the five steps towards peace: (Europe) Awakening, (Africa) Hope, (Asia) Forgiveness, (America) Love, and (Australia) Peace. Once a year on 21st June the light of the sun connects all ten stones by reflection. This invisible spectacle of nature symbolizes the unity of the earth and humanity.
The sculptor Wolfgang von Schwarzenfeld has worked on this project for ten years. He wants to raise people’s awareness of conflict and peace with artistic means. He has worked in America, Australia, Africa and Europe on seven of the ten stones – all weighing between ten and forty tons. Von Schwarzenfeld began the Global Stone Project in 1997 in Venezuela. The Venezuelan people donated the first stone to the German people, which was placed in Tiergarten in 1999. The “sister stone” lies in the centre of Caracas. The project is self-funded and enjoys the enthusiastic help of many people all over the world as well as generous assistance from sponsors he met while travelling.
Return to South Africa to fetch the Stone of Hope and bring it to Berlin.
Often I am asked: Where is the most beautiful place in the world? Cape Town at the southern tip of Africa is one of these special places in the world. I remember the stormy southeaster which covers the famous Table Mountain with a white cloud cap, the breathtaking Table Bay and the charming vineyards. Above all, I think of the people, the Capetonians, who connect me with this place. I have sailed with them on my boat “Pegasus” on Table Bay or hiked the mountains. We had long discussions about the meaning of life, about spiritual matters, equality, freedom and conflict.
On the last stretch around the world I sailed four years ago from Cape Town back to Europe and now I returned to this wonderful city by airplane. I met all dear friends again and spoke with the two Nobel Peace Laureates FW de Klerk and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
With FW de Klerk we talked about the transformation from the apartheid to democracy. I asked him to come to Berlin and help me to set the African stone in Tiergarten, Berlin. He accepted the invitation. One week later I met former Archbishop Desmond Tutu who is also a Nobel Peace Laureate. After a heartfelt greeting he asked me what he could do for me. I said, “Please come to Berlin and assist me in dropping a little stone of “hope" in Tiergarten”. “Certainly, I will come!” he said.
On Sunday, 2nd December 2007, Desmond Tutu will be awarded the famous Marion Dönhoff Prize in Hamburg and afterwards he will travel to Berlin. On Monday, 3rd December around 10h30 the stone will be placed.
The location of the Global Stone Project
You will find the location near the “Löwengruppe” (Lions’ Group) in Tiergarten. With the Brandenburg Gate behind you, follow the “Ahornsteig” for about 300m. Or Potsdamer Platz -– enter the Park near Sony Center and keep walking for about 250m.
For an interview you can contact Wolfgang von Schwarzenfeld. Tel: 033205 20345 and mobile number: 0170 47 22 334 or by email at: mail@globalstone.de
Wolfgang K v S
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