The First Statue of Peace in Italy was successfully installed
- Unveiling ceremony held on the International Day
for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
- Italian citizens warmly welcomed the ‘Statue of Peace,’ a symbol of women’s rights
On Saturday, June 22nd, at 11:00 a.m. local time, the Statue of Peace was successfully installed in Stintino, Sardinia, Italy, with an unveiling ceremony. This is the second Statue of Peace installed in a public space in Europe, following Berlin, Germany, and the 14th installed overseas.
Before the unveiling ceremony, at 9:00 a.m. local time on June 22nd, Na-young Lee, Chair of the Korean Council, and Mayor of Stintino Rita Limbania Vallebella held their first official meeting at City Hall. They discussed Japanese military sexual slavery as a universal women’s rights issue and affirmed their shared commitment for a peaceful, war-free world. Mayor Vallebella emphasized that the statue serves as a reminder of the causes of sexual violence that women around the world still suffer from, and therefore, the inscription cannot be modified or removed. Since May, the Japanese Embassy in Italy has actively opposed the installation of the statue, submitting an opposing opinion to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and making a visit to the Stintino City Hall.
The unveiling ceremony, held on June 22 in front of the Statue of Peace on Colombo Beach, aimed to raise awareness of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. Approximately 200 people attended, including Italian politicians such as the Mayor of Erula, representatives of local organizations, civil society members, citizens, and local and international journalists (Appendix 2. List of Participants). Mayor Vallebella, other local mayors, Lee (the Chair of the Korean Council), and Mrs. Rosamaria Caiazza delivered congratulatory remarks. The choir of Stintino followed with a performance of “Arirang.”
In her remarks, Lee, the Chair of the Korean Council, emphasized that the Statue of Peace “address not only an issue between Korea and Japan, but also amplifies the experiences and voices of countless women across the Asia-Pacific region.” She described it as “a symbol of women’s fight against gender-based violence prevalent in many parts of the world and a hope for peace.” Mayor Vallebella higlighted that wartime sexual violence “remains a pressing issue in the conflicts, such as Palestine and Ukraine,” and “opposition of peace.” She stated, “By installing the Statue of Peace, we stand in solidarity with the suffering of all women impacted by the tragedy of war.”
Following the remarks, a local choir performed “Arirang” as the opening song. As the song echoed through Stintino, tears welled eyes of the locals, symbolizing a mournful longing for the homeland for the homeland of victims of Japanese military sexual slavery who were taken overseas and never returned. Su-bok No, discovered as a victim in Thailand, had lost all memory of her Korean language, yet the song Arirang remained etched in her heart as an enduring testament to her harrowing experiences. The song also serves as the evidence of the reality the truth of Japanese military sexual slavery, as residents near ‘comfort stations’ testified about the ‘girls singing Arirang.’
During the installation of the Statue of Peace, Rosamaria Caiazza, a retired teacher, played a crucial role. She aimed to raise awareness about Japanese military sexual slavery as a universal women's rights issue. As a volunteer at Stintino City Hall, she convinced Mayor Vallebella, a human rights lawyer and longtime friend. Caiazza was the former editor of the web magazine Kotalia, a publication created by Italian and Korean citizens. Additionally, she supported the Federazione Italiana Donne Arti Professioni Affarir (F.I.D.A.P.A.), the Italian Federation of Women Artists Professionals in Business, and promoted women's initiatives.
Located on Sardinia, Italy's second-largest island, the city of Stintino is a tourist and celebrity magnet renowned for its luxurious vacation spots and the ruins of the Nuraghe civilization dating back to 2,000 BC. The installation site, situated 200 meters from the city hall and near the seashore facing the Mediterranean Sea, underscores the brutality of crimes against humanity and highlights the importance of peace and human rights to global citizens.
The 'Statue of Peace' serves as a memorial created to commemorate the historical facts of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue and express hope for an end to ongoing wartime sexual violence worldwide. It stands as a symbol of women's rights. The first 'Statue of Peace' was installed in front of the Japanese Embassy in South Korea on December 14, 2011, to mark the 1,000th Wednesday Demonstration. Currently, there are a total of 148 Statues of Peace in South Korea and 31 overseas (excluding six that were removed or not reinstalled after exhibitions).
For the past 34 years, the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, led by Chairperson Na-Young Lee, has actively sought a just resolution to the Japanese military sexual slavery issue and advocated for the eradication of wartime sexual violence. The Korean Council has spearheaded installations of the Statue of Peace globally, including in Berlin, Germany, and fully supported the production and transportation costs related to the installation of the Statue of Peace in Italy. The Korean Council remains committed to expanding efforts to install the Statue of Peace worldwide.
Appendix.
- Major Schedule for the Unveiling Ceremony
- List of Participants, including Italian politicians and women’s rights organizations
- Photographs from the Unveiling Ceremony
June 23, 2024
The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance
for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan
Appendix 1. Major Schedule for the Unveiling Ceremony
○ Date and Time: Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 11:00 AM (Italy Local Time)
○ Place: Installation location of the Statue of Peace in the city of Stintino, Sardinia, Italy (200 meters from City Hall, by the beach)
○ Main Program:
- Congratulatory Remark by Rita Limbania Vallebella, Mayor of the Stintino
- Congratulatory Remarks by Italian Politicians
- Congratulatory Remark by Na-Young Lee, The Chair of the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issue of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan
- Congratulatory Remark by Rosamaria Caiazza
- Performance of ‘Arirang’ by the local choir
- Reception
Appendix 2. List of Participants (Italian politicians and women’s rights organizations)
- Mrs. Marianna Fusco (Mayor of the Town of Erula in Sardinia)
- Ms. Elena Cornalis (Deputy Mayor of the Town of Sennori)
- Ms. Daniela Falcone (Mayor of the town of Fonni in Sardinia, Italy)
- Mr. Massimiliano Ledda (Alderman for the Municipality of Porto Torres)
- Ma Lalla Careddu (Councilwoman of the City Council of the City of Sassari. Feminist activist)
- Desire Manca (Councilor for Labor in the Region of Sardinia)
- Mrs. Carla Puligheddu (Guarantor for Children)
- Ms. Simona Corongiu (Equal Opportunity Rights Authority of the Region of Sardinia)
- Ms. Speranza Piredda (President of Association Against Women's Violence)
- O.N.D.i.F Representatives of Association of Women Lawyers in the City of Sassari who Work on Family Law and Violence Against Women
- Gabriella Bartoletti (President of the Inner Wheel Rotary club, Castello di Sassari)
- Rosa Foddai (President of Inner Wheel Rotary club, Sassari Centro, activists in the field of Human Rights Advocacy and Promote Awareness Campaigns Against Violence Against Women) and Patrizia Solinas (Secretary general of the club)
- Ms. Carla Puligheddu (Guarantor of the Rights of Children and Adolescents. Vice-president of the group " Coordination 3" of Women Sardinia)
- Ms. Anna Soro (from the Equal Opportunity Representative of the Bar Council and the Networks of Forensic Councils of Sardinia)
- Daniela Guadalupi (from the Aid Foundation for research into rare diseases)
Appendix 3. Photos of the Unveiling Ceremony
1. Official Meeting Between Na-young Lee, the Chair of the Korean Council, and Rita Limbania Vallebella, the Mayor of Stintino, prior to the Unveiling Ceremony
2. The Statue of Peace, Stintino, Italy
3. Congratulatory remark by Rita Limbania Vallebella, the Mayor of Stintino
4. Congratulatory remark by Na-young Lee, the chair of the Korean Council
5. Congratulatory remark by Rosamaria Caiazza
6. Mayor Vallebella, Sitting next to the Statue of Peace during the ceremony
7. Congratulatory remarks by Italian politicians and women’s rights organizations
8. “Arirang” Performance from the choir of Stintino
9. Participants of the unveiling ceremony
The First Statue of Peace in Italy was successfully installed
- Unveiling ceremony held on the International Day
for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict
- Italian citizens warmly welcomed the ‘Statue of Peace,’ a symbol of women’s rights
On Saturday, June 22nd, at 11:00 a.m. local time, the Statue of Peace was successfully installed in Stintino, Sardinia, Italy, with an unveiling ceremony. This is the second Statue of Peace installed in a public space in Europe, following Berlin, Germany, and the 14th installed overseas.
Before the unveiling ceremony, at 9:00 a.m. local time on June 22nd, Na-young Lee, Chair of the Korean Council, and Mayor of Stintino Rita Limbania Vallebella held their first official meeting at City Hall. They discussed Japanese military sexual slavery as a universal women’s rights issue and affirmed their shared commitment for a peaceful, war-free world. Mayor Vallebella emphasized that the statue serves as a reminder of the causes of sexual violence that women around the world still suffer from, and therefore, the inscription cannot be modified or removed. Since May, the Japanese Embassy in Italy has actively opposed the installation of the statue, submitting an opposing opinion to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and making a visit to the Stintino City Hall.
The unveiling ceremony, held on June 22 in front of the Statue of Peace on Colombo Beach, aimed to raise awareness of the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. Approximately 200 people attended, including Italian politicians such as the Mayor of Erula, representatives of local organizations, civil society members, citizens, and local and international journalists (Appendix 2. List of Participants). Mayor Vallebella, other local mayors, Lee (the Chair of the Korean Council), and Mrs. Rosamaria Caiazza delivered congratulatory remarks. The choir of Stintino followed with a performance of “Arirang.”
In her remarks, Lee, the Chair of the Korean Council, emphasized that the Statue of Peace “address not only an issue between Korea and Japan, but also amplifies the experiences and voices of countless women across the Asia-Pacific region.” She described it as “a symbol of women’s fight against gender-based violence prevalent in many parts of the world and a hope for peace.” Mayor Vallebella higlighted that wartime sexual violence “remains a pressing issue in the conflicts, such as Palestine and Ukraine,” and “opposition of peace.” She stated, “By installing the Statue of Peace, we stand in solidarity with the suffering of all women impacted by the tragedy of war.”
Following the remarks, a local choir performed “Arirang” as the opening song. As the song echoed through Stintino, tears welled eyes of the locals, symbolizing a mournful longing for the homeland for the homeland of victims of Japanese military sexual slavery who were taken overseas and never returned. Su-bok No, discovered as a victim in Thailand, had lost all memory of her Korean language, yet the song Arirang remained etched in her heart as an enduring testament to her harrowing experiences. The song also serves as the evidence of the reality the truth of Japanese military sexual slavery, as residents near ‘comfort stations’ testified about the ‘girls singing Arirang.’
During the installation of the Statue of Peace, Rosamaria Caiazza, a retired teacher, played a crucial role. She aimed to raise awareness about Japanese military sexual slavery as a universal women's rights issue. As a volunteer at Stintino City Hall, she convinced Mayor Vallebella, a human rights lawyer and longtime friend. Caiazza was the former editor of the web magazine Kotalia, a publication created by Italian and Korean citizens. Additionally, she supported the Federazione Italiana Donne Arti Professioni Affarir (F.I.D.A.P.A.), the Italian Federation of Women Artists Professionals in Business, and promoted women's initiatives.
Located on Sardinia, Italy's second-largest island, the city of Stintino is a tourist and celebrity magnet renowned for its luxurious vacation spots and the ruins of the Nuraghe civilization dating back to 2,000 BC. The installation site, situated 200 meters from the city hall and near the seashore facing the Mediterranean Sea, underscores the brutality of crimes against humanity and highlights the importance of peace and human rights to global citizens.
The 'Statue of Peace' serves as a memorial created to commemorate the historical facts of the Japanese military sexual slavery issue and express hope for an end to ongoing wartime sexual violence worldwide. It stands as a symbol of women's rights. The first 'Statue of Peace' was installed in front of the Japanese Embassy in South Korea on December 14, 2011, to mark the 1,000th Wednesday Demonstration. Currently, there are a total of 148 Statues of Peace in South Korea and 31 overseas (excluding six that were removed or not reinstalled after exhibitions).
For the past 34 years, the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan, led by Chairperson Na-Young Lee, has actively sought a just resolution to the Japanese military sexual slavery issue and advocated for the eradication of wartime sexual violence. The Korean Council has spearheaded installations of the Statue of Peace globally, including in Berlin, Germany, and fully supported the production and transportation costs related to the installation of the Statue of Peace in Italy. The Korean Council remains committed to expanding efforts to install the Statue of Peace worldwide.
Appendix.
June 23, 2024
The Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance
for the Issues of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan
Appendix 1. Major Schedule for the Unveiling Ceremony
○ Date and Time: Saturday, June 22, 2024, at 11:00 AM (Italy Local Time)
○ Place: Installation location of the Statue of Peace in the city of Stintino, Sardinia, Italy (200 meters from City Hall, by the beach)
○ Main Program:
- Congratulatory Remark by Rita Limbania Vallebella, Mayor of the Stintino
- Congratulatory Remarks by Italian Politicians
- Congratulatory Remark by Na-Young Lee, The Chair of the Korean Council for Justice and Remembrance for the Issue of Military Sexual Slavery by Japan
- Congratulatory Remark by Rosamaria Caiazza
- Performance of ‘Arirang’ by the local choir
- Reception
Appendix 2. List of Participants (Italian politicians and women’s rights organizations)
- Mrs. Marianna Fusco (Mayor of the Town of Erula in Sardinia)
- Ms. Elena Cornalis (Deputy Mayor of the Town of Sennori)
- Ms. Daniela Falcone (Mayor of the town of Fonni in Sardinia, Italy)
- Mr. Massimiliano Ledda (Alderman for the Municipality of Porto Torres)
- Ma Lalla Careddu (Councilwoman of the City Council of the City of Sassari. Feminist activist)
- Desire Manca (Councilor for Labor in the Region of Sardinia)
- Mrs. Carla Puligheddu (Guarantor for Children)
- Ms. Simona Corongiu (Equal Opportunity Rights Authority of the Region of Sardinia)
- Ms. Speranza Piredda (President of Association Against Women's Violence)
- O.N.D.i.F Representatives of Association of Women Lawyers in the City of Sassari who Work on Family Law and Violence Against Women
- Gabriella Bartoletti (President of the Inner Wheel Rotary club, Castello di Sassari)
- Rosa Foddai (President of Inner Wheel Rotary club, Sassari Centro, activists in the field of Human Rights Advocacy and Promote Awareness Campaigns Against Violence Against Women) and Patrizia Solinas (Secretary general of the club)
- Ms. Carla Puligheddu (Guarantor of the Rights of Children and Adolescents. Vice-president of the group " Coordination 3" of Women Sardinia)
- Ms. Anna Soro (from the Equal Opportunity Representative of the Bar Council and the Networks of Forensic Councils of Sardinia)
- Daniela Guadalupi (from the Aid Foundation for research into rare diseases)
Appendix 3. Photos of the Unveiling Ceremony
1. Official Meeting Between Na-young Lee, the Chair of the Korean Council, and Rita Limbania Vallebella, the Mayor of Stintino, prior to the Unveiling Ceremony
3. Congratulatory remark by Rita Limbania Vallebella, the Mayor of Stintino
4. Congratulatory remark by Na-young Lee, the chair of the Korean Council
5. Congratulatory remark by Rosamaria Caiazza
6. Mayor Vallebella, Sitting next to the Statue of Peace during the ceremony
7. Congratulatory remarks by Italian politicians and women’s rights organizations
8. “Arirang” Performance from the choir of Stintino
9. Participants of the unveiling ceremony