Press Release: Liu Xiaobo Bust to be Dedicated at the University of Galway
September 11, 2024, 11am, at the Irish Centre for Human Rights
后附中文版。
Art for Human Rights and Human Rights in China (HRIC) are delighted to announce that a bronze bust of Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo which they have commissioned will be donated to the Irish Centre for Human Rights (ICHR) at the University of Galway and unveiled on the 11th September, 2024 in the presence of Professor Siobhán Mullally, Director of the Centre, Bill Shipsey Founder and Director of Art for Human Rights and Fengsuo Zhou Director of HRIC - a friend of Liu Xiaobo and a fellow student leader during the Tiananmen Square Protests in 1989 - and several leaders of other international human rights organisations.
The unveiling will take place on September 11th, at 11:00 AM at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Galway, University Road, Galway. It will be followed by a presentation and discussion with ICHR students and staff at the Aula Maxima (the Quadrangle) at 11:45 AM.
The bust, by Czech sculptor Marie Šeborová, is the first bronze bust of the late Nobel Prize Laureate, poet and human rights defender to be placed on a university campus anywhere in the world. The project has been realised in partnership with ARTICLE 19, Index on Censorship, Front Line Defenders, International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) and Humanitarian China.
Welcoming the gift of the bust, Siobhán Mullally, Director of the Irish Centre for Human Rights at the University of Galway said: “We are honoured to participate in this project, to honour Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Liu Xiaobo. Liu Xiaobo’s lifelong commitment to the pursuit of human rights and democracy, and his remarkable courage in the face of adversity, exemplify the values and purpose of the Irish Centre for Human Rights. As a human rights defender, Liu Xiaobo devoted his life to the struggle for freedom and equality, challenging the everyday denials of justice, and abuses of state power. It is fitting that we honour him here today, where students, alumni and staff, commit daily to the pursuit of a more just world.”
President of the University of Galway, Professor Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh said, “University of Galway has a long history of recognising the contributions of those whose life’s work and focus is on human rights – from Nelson Mandela being awarded an honorary degree from the National University of Ireland at our campus; to our university bestowing an honorary degree on John Hume. Our graduates include Michael D Higgins, Shawan Jabarin and many other extraordinary and ordinary people who make a difference every day for human rights. It is powerful symbol that Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo is recognised at the Irish Centre for Human Rights as a constant inspiration to our students, our researchers and academics, our staff and alumni.”
Fengsuo Zhou of Human Rights in China said: “I had the honour of standing alongside Liu Xiaobo on Tiananmen Square and later sharing prison time with him in high security Qincheng Prison. He passed away while still in incarceration, without ever receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. From the Tiananmen protests to Charter 08, and ultimately to his martyrdom in 2017, he symbolised the peaceful struggle for freedom and democracy in China. We honour his memory by erecting a statue in his name. His legacy continues to inspire us all.”
Speaking about the forthcoming event, Bill Shipsey of Art for Human Rights said: “The Chinese Communist Party has tried to erase Liu Xiaobo’s memory since his death in a military hospital in China in 2017. But his words will outlast those of any autocratic leader and will be remembered and cherished by freedom loving and human rights respecting people everywhere. Say his name ‘Liu Xiaobo’. Art outlasts tyranny.”
For further information please contact:
Ruby at ruby@artforhumanrights.org
or Lucie at humanrights@universityofgalway.ie
Press release issued on September 5th 2024
新闻稿 - 即时发布
刘晓波铜像将于2024年9月11日在高威大学爱尔兰人权中心揭幕
人权艺术(Art for Human Rights)和中国人权组织(HRIC)很高兴地宣布,他们将把委托制作的诺贝尔和平奖得主刘晓波的青铜半身像捐赠给高威大学的爱尔兰人权中心(ICHR),并将于2024年9月11日举行揭幕仪式。届时,人权中心主任Siobhán Mullally教授、人权艺术创始人和主任Bill Shipsey、中国人权组织执行主任周锋锁(刘晓波的朋友、八九学运领袖之一),以及多位国际人权组织负责人将出席本次仪式。
揭幕仪式将于9月11日早11点在坐落于高威市大学路的高威大学人权中心举行,并将在11:点45分在Aula Maxima(四方庭)举行与爱尔兰人权中心的学生与教职员工的座谈会。
这座半身像由捷克雕塑家Marie Šeborová制作,是全球首座在大学校园安放的已故诺贝尔奖得主、诗人和人权捍卫者刘晓波的铜像。这个项目得到了第十九条、审查指数、前线卫士、国际人权服务社及人道中国等人权组织的合作。
高威大学人权中心主任Siobhán Mullally就获赠刘晓波铜像一事说:“我们对参与到这个纪念诺贝尔和平奖得主刘晓波的项目感到非常荣幸。刘晓波对人权和民主的毕生追求,以及他在逆境面前表现出的莫大勇气,彰显了爱尔兰人权中心的价值观和使命。作为一名人权捍卫者,刘晓波一生在追求自由和平等的道路上不懈奋斗,每时每刻都在挑战社会不公和国家滥权行为。因此,我们在人权中心纪念他再合适不过了。在这里,我们的学生、校友和教职员工每时每刻都在为了追求一个更公正的世界而努力。”
高威大学校长、教授Ciarán Ó hÓgartaigh就此说:”高威大学在表彰人权捍卫者方面有着悠久的历史:我们授予了纳尔逊•曼德拉(Nelson Mandela)爱尔兰国立大学的荣誉学位,也授予了约翰•休姆(John Hume)荣誉学位。我们的校友包括迈克尔·希金斯(Michael D. Higgins)、沙万•贾巴林(Shawan Jabarin) 等许多为人权事业作出贡献的杰出人士和普通人。我们得以在爱尔兰人权中心纪念诺贝尔和平奖得主刘晓波有着震撼人心的象征性意义,这也是对我们的学生、研究员、教职员工和校友的长久启蒙。”
中国人权组织执行主任周锋锁说:“1989年,我有幸在天安门广场与刘晓波并肩战斗,六四屠杀后我们还在戒备森严的秦城监狱一起坐过牢。他去世时仍被监禁,始终未能领取诺贝尔和平奖。从八九民运到零八宪章、再到2017年为民主献身,刘晓波象征着在中国实现自由民主的和平奋斗。我们以这座铜像来纪念他,希望他的精神与我们常伴。”
人权艺术组织创始人Bill Shipsey就刘晓波铜像落成一事说:“自从刘晓波2017年在中国国内的一家医院去世后,中共就一直想抹杀世人对他的记忆,但他话语的影响力将超越任何一位独裁者,也将被世上每一位热爱和平、尊重人权的人所怀念和珍爱。念出刘晓波的名字,让艺术超越暴政。”
如欲获取更多相关信息,请联系:
Ruby:ruby@artforhumanrights.org
Lucie:humanrights@universityofgalway.ie
2024年9月5日
Some good news!