Today’s annual United Nations Day will be marked by the unveiling of two memorials dedicated to UN staff killed in the course of their duties and a special concert featuring the world premiere of a musical work.
Secretary General Kofi Annan is expected to make a speech this afternoon at UN Headquarters in New York at the official launch of a memorial to the fallen in a wooded section of the complex’s North Garden.
Its centrepiece is a wall of crystal glass with the phrase “Remember here those who gave their lives for peace” inscribed in the UN’s six official languages – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish and Russian. The memorial includes 191 stepping stones – one for each Member State – and a fountain. Designed as a place for reflection, some of the stone slabs will serve as benches. Lanterns will light the memorial from below at night.
The memorial, funded by prize money from the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the UN’s peacekeeping forces, was designed by the architectural firm Arquitectonica International. The chief architect was Bernardo Fort Brescia and construction began in April.
In Geneva, a memorial has been erected in Ariana Park, close to door 20 of the Palais des Nations in the Swiss city. That memorial has been paid for by contributions from the UN Secretary General, individual UN staff, UN agencies and programmes, and staff associations.
The UN Postal Administration is also issuing a stamp to commemorate the 22 UN people killed during a terrorist bomb attack in Baghdad on 19 August. The stamp features the words “In Memoriam” in different languages and shows a UN flag at half-mast.
Tonight in New York, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (Swiss Orchestra), conducted by Pinchas Steinberg, will hold a concert in the General Assembly Hall.
One of the highlights will be the world premiere of Exodus, a piece written by the contemporary composer William Blank. The orchestra is also performing Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” orchestrated by Maurice Ravel.
At a press conference yesterday, the orchestra’s director, Metin Arditi, explained how Mr. Blank told him why the composition is called Exodus (Exode) and not Exile, which is the same word in English and French.
“Exile is a state. Exodus is a movement, and music is a movement,” Mr. Arditi said Mr. Blank informed him.
The Swiss Orchestra is developing a tradition of performing on 24 October to mark UN Day, but this will be the first time it is performing in New York on such an occasion.
Yesterday, some 400 school principals from New York attended a special programme at UN Headquarters so they can help their students learn more about world issues and the work of the UN.
The principals were given a briefing by senior officials, enjoyed a guided tour of the buildings and attended a special reception in the Delegates’ Dining Room.
UN Day is always 24 October because it marks the anniversary of the organization’s Charter coming into force in 1945.
UN News Centre: http://www.un.org/News/
Secretary General Kofi Annan is expected to make a speech this afternoon at UN Headquarters in New York at the official launch of a memorial to the fallen in a wooded section of the complex’s North Garden.
Its centrepiece is a wall of crystal glass with the phrase “Remember here those who gave their lives for peace” inscribed in the UN’s six official languages – Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Spanish and Russian. The memorial includes 191 stepping stones – one for each Member State – and a fountain. Designed as a place for reflection, some of the stone slabs will serve as benches. Lanterns will light the memorial from below at night.
The memorial, funded by prize money from the 1988 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the UN’s peacekeeping forces, was designed by the architectural firm Arquitectonica International. The chief architect was Bernardo Fort Brescia and construction began in April.
In Geneva, a memorial has been erected in Ariana Park, close to door 20 of the Palais des Nations in the Swiss city. That memorial has been paid for by contributions from the UN Secretary General, individual UN staff, UN agencies and programmes, and staff associations.
The UN Postal Administration is also issuing a stamp to commemorate the 22 UN people killed during a terrorist bomb attack in Baghdad on 19 August. The stamp features the words “In Memoriam” in different languages and shows a UN flag at half-mast.
Tonight in New York, the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (Swiss Orchestra), conducted by Pinchas Steinberg, will hold a concert in the General Assembly Hall.
One of the highlights will be the world premiere of Exodus, a piece written by the contemporary composer William Blank. The orchestra is also performing Modest Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition,” orchestrated by Maurice Ravel.
At a press conference yesterday, the orchestra’s director, Metin Arditi, explained how Mr. Blank told him why the composition is called Exodus (Exode) and not Exile, which is the same word in English and French.
“Exile is a state. Exodus is a movement, and music is a movement,” Mr. Arditi said Mr. Blank informed him.
The Swiss Orchestra is developing a tradition of performing on 24 October to mark UN Day, but this will be the first time it is performing in New York on such an occasion.
Yesterday, some 400 school principals from New York attended a special programme at UN Headquarters so they can help their students learn more about world issues and the work of the UN.
The principals were given a briefing by senior officials, enjoyed a guided tour of the buildings and attended a special reception in the Delegates’ Dining Room.
UN Day is always 24 October because it marks the anniversary of the organization’s Charter coming into force in 1945.
UN News Centre: http://www.un.org/News/