Amnesty International and world famous musicians to honour VĆclav Havel with a Petr SĆs designed Aubusson tapestry...
Amnesty International and world famous musicians to honour VĆclav Havel with a Petr SĆs designed Aubusson tapestry donated to the Dagmar and VĆclav Havel Foundation and displayed at VĆclav Havel Airport Prague.
On Sunday, 9th December at 3 PM, a large original Aubusson tapestry, designed by Czech artist Petr SĆs, and woven by master weavers in Aubusson, France, will be unveiled at a special ceremony at VĆclav Havel Airport Prague.
This art work is devoted to the memory and legacy of VĆclav Havel. It was conceived by Art for Amnesty founder Bill Shipsey on behalf of Amnesty International and supported by five world famous musiciansā€“ Bono, The Edge, Peter Gabriel, Sting and Yoko Ono Lennon. The tapestry, measuring 5 x 4.25 meters, has been donated to the Dagmar and VĆclav Havel Foundation and will be displayed in Terminal 2 at the recently renamed VĆclav Havel Airport Prague.
Bill Shipsey, founder of Art for Amnesty, and initiator of the project, stated: "This magnificent Peter SĆs designed tapestry is a permanent memorial and reminder of the central role played by VĆclav Havel in restoring, promoting and protecting human rights in Europe and all over the world.ā€¯
President Havel was ā€adoptedā€™ by Amnesty International as a "prisoner of conscienceā€¯ when he was imprisoned in the 1970s and 1980s. In 2003 he was the first to be awarded the prestigious Amnesty International "Ambassador of Conscienceā€¯ Award. The five musicians, all long time supporters of VĆclav Havel, funded the CZK 1.5 million cost of the tapestry. The gift honours VĆclav Havel and marks the Czech Governmentā€™s timely decision to rename the Airport Prague/RuzynÄ› as VĆclav Havel Airport Prague.
"VĆclav Havel was an inspiration to our band - as well as to politicians, poets and all in between - and we were lucky to call him a friend. SĆs's tapestry is just one more reason to visit the beautiful city of Prague." - The Edge
"Few writers follow their words as they leave the page and become actions. The cost of public service is great for anyone. For an artist to purposely ignore his own literary voice, to serve all the other voices that can make democracy such a cacophony on occasion, is bewildering to me. But out of that noise, VĆclav's musical ear found a clear melody to inspire a complex people. His influence is all around us and this work gives an important permanent reminder, fittingly by his countryman Peter SĆs and in his home town.ā€¯ - Bono
"It is an honour for me to be associated with this beautiful tapestry dedicated to the great artist Vaclav Havel. I am particularly pleased that it will be displayed in a city that has a Wall dedicated to John. Both Vaclav and John believed passionately in freedom. The tapestry and the Wall will remain forever as symbols of freedom." ā€“ Yoko Ono Lennon
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