Bilbao already has its “peace pole”: a steel tree as a sign of peace and token of the city’s claim to be the interfaith capital of Spain. A message in 99 different languages is inscribed on it: “May peace prevail on earth”. The “peace pole” is two and a half metres high and is the first visible sign of the International Congress on Intercultural and Interfaith Dialogue which opened in Bilbao on 11 December. Promoted by the International Catholic movement Pax Romana, UNESCO, the World Council of Churches and the Jewish World Council, the Congress is being attended by 50 leaders of 12 different religions. The “peace pole” was inaugurated in recent days in the presence of the mayor, Iñaki Azkuna, and auxiliary Bishop Carmelo Etxenagusia. The aim of the international Congress is to respond to the “new challenges for a world that desires peace”. Monsignor Etxenagusia emphasized that “the most valuable thing in our heart is the ardent yearning and the effective search for a solid peace, based on the pillars of truth, justice, liberty and fraternity”. The Jesuit Deusto University and the diocesan Institute for Theology and Pastoral Ministry have also lent their support to the initiative. The “peace pole” is a symbol of peace promoted by an international association called “World Peace Prayer Society”. Over 200 of them have already been installed in 80 countries, on various occasions such as a congress, an international meeting or an inauguration.
