In Rome, a mural dedicated to refugees has been unveiled as part of the international Echoes of Resilience project, a joint initiative by UNHCR and the EU. "Art helps us see one another and understand different journeys and experiences," UNHCR said.
A mural covering the entire facade of a building in Rome dedicated to refugees was unveiled on December 3 as part of the Echoes of Resilience project, a joint initiative by UNHCR and the EU.
The mural is in the Rome neighborhood of Tor Marancia, known for its street art, and was titled 'Nurturing Hope'. The artist, Alice Pasquini, has said that it is dedicated to the fragility, resilience, and hope of a new life for refugees.
The mural is over 15 meters high and is meant to celebrate solidarity and support for populations that flee their home countries and ask for refuge.
Young siblings in a scene from daily life
The painting was completed in recent weeks and unveiled on Dec. 3 in the presence of UNHCR and EU representatives with support from Rome's 8th municipality.
"Street art is social art by definition, and all my work is on the side of people - as support for emotions through small gestures of daily life shown in public," Pasquini told ANSA.
"This painting evokes, through intimate gestures, the care and hope of two children, who I imagine were two small siblings, in a family scene and full of expectations. The little girl has a plant in her hand and offers it to the smaller boy, as a sort of rebirth. He is sitting on a suitcase, representing what their home was."
"In the background are tents for refugees. The main tones of yellow and blue are warm colors, a tribute to the strength of these people to evoke dignity and the hope for rebirth of those forced to leave everything behind to begin again," she added.
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'Art helps break down barriers'
"The UNHCR project represents the possibility given to populations to have a place where they are welcomed, bringing with them their memories and looking to the future," Pasquini stressed. "It wasn't easy to create an evocative image able to convey this message and spark once again the hope for a new beginning and a new life."
The mural was created at the same time as two other works in Paris and Copenhagen: 'The Extra Mile' by Mahn Kloix in Paris and 'Resilient Roots' by Peter Skensved in Copenhagen.
"Each mural showcases how -- thanks to EU support for refugees in countries hosting displaced people around the world, and through their own determination and bravery -- refugees are not only surviving displacement but building new lives for themselves and their communities," UNHCR said in a statement.
"Art brings people together. It helps us see one another and understand different journeys and experiences. It helps break down barriers."
Author: Agnese Ferrara