On 13 November, the island of Malta will have 21 more donkeys: Mediterranean Peace Donkeys. At the Mdina Cathedral Contemporary Art Biennale (13 November 2015 – 7 November 2016), CARAVAN is hosting the Mediterranean Peace Donkey, a peacebuilding public art exhibition of 21 life-sized fiberglass “Maltese” donkeys painted by premier Maltese and Mediterranean artists symbolizing the need for peace and compassion between the Middle East and West, and more specifically, throughout the Mediterranean region (i.e. a donkey for each of the 21 Mediterranean nations). The new form for the life-size fiberglass Maltese donkey was sculpted by the premier Egyptian artist Dr. Reda Abdel Rahman and fabricated in Malta.
CARAVAN’s Mediterranean Peace Donkey exhibition is using the unique symbol of the renowned and endangered Maltese donkey to focus global attention on four critical needs:
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-Interreligious Harmony- as it represents “peace and compassion” in Christianity, Islam and Judaism highlighting the importance of peace, harmony and tolerance between faiths.
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-East-West Relations- Four Maltese donkeys were given to George Washington as a gift just prior to his becoming the first president of the USA, and therefore they symbolize the need of creating respect, developing understanding and encouraging friendship between the Middle East and West.
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-Donkey Welfare in Conflict Zones- seen as a “beast of burden” for the poor throughout the Middle East, we want to raise global awareness about not only the difficult conditions facing working donkeys, but the plight of donkeys and their owners caught up in the horror of human conflict. CARAVAN is partnering with The Donkey Sanctuary, the global leaders in the field of donkey welfare in this regard.
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-Humanitarian Assistance for Migrants/Refugees-a means of journeying, the donkey is a symbol of the thousands of migrants and refugees passing through the Mediterranean, fleeing conflict or economic hardship, and their desperate need for hope and humanitarian assistance.
The Mediterranean Peace Donkey project follows in the footsteps of the widely successful 2013 CARAVAN public art Egyptian peace donkey initiative in Cairo and London which was seen by over 120,000 people.
During the course of the exhibition, CARAVAN also has two concerts at the majestic St Paul’s Cathedral in Mdina that feature works and musicians that uniquely blend and explore the richness of Middle Eastern and Western musical traditions: ‘On A Caravan’ and ‘Notes of Faith’.
For the Mediterranean Peace Donkey initiative, CARAVAN is partnering with The Donkey Sanctuary together with United Religions Initiative (URI).
LEARN MORE ABOUT "THE MEDITERRANEAN PEACE DONKEY"
SEE PHOTOS OF THE MAKING OF “THE MEDITERRANEAN PEACE DONKEYS”
