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Memorials often arise spontaneously. Citizens feel such a connection with people or an event that they take the initiative to give their memories or tributes concrete form. Dozens of leaders have been hoisted on a pedestal, important artists and scholars owe their plaques to it, and far-reaching historical events such as wars or murder are kept alive by attention-grabbing monuments.

Of a slightly different order is the World Peace Flame in front of the Peace Palace. Here, neither a person is honoured, nor a historical event commemorated. The British initiators Mansukh Patel and Savitri MacCuish of this monument strove for world peace. In 1999, seven world leaders, including Nelson Mandela (Africa) and Princess Irene van Lippe-Biesterfeld (Europe) lit a flame on different continents. These flames were brought together in Wales to form a World Peace Flame. Three years later, a flame was brought on foot from Wales to The Hague, where the first monument to the World Peace Flame was erected in front of the Peace Palace. Other monuments for the flame followed in various parts of the world, including Berlin, Sydney and New York. The intention is that this sign of hope, unity, freedom and celebration of life will eventually be found in all major cities.

The design for the first Peace Flame is by graphic designer Heleen van der Sanden - de Groot. She placed the eternally burning flame in a black natural stone column. Tourists and passers-by often stop to reflect on the words she has put on the monument:

World

Peace

Flame

In the meantime, in addition to the World Peace Flame, there has also been a World Peace Pathway since 2004. No fewer than 197 countries have each donated a stone that is characteristic of their country. These stones lie together in a circle around the eternally burning flame.

www.worldpeaceflame.org