{"id":26483,"date":"2022-06-07T09:18:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-07T13:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26483"},"modified":"2022-06-07T11:20:41","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T15:20:41","slug":"taoiseach-to-unveil-bust-of-john-hume-at-european-parliament-in-strasbourg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=26483","title":{"rendered":"Taoiseach To Unveil Bust Of John Hume At European Parliament In Strasbourg"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Nobel laureate John Hume (PA Wire\/PA Images)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin is to unveil a bust of Nobel laureate John Hume at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Martin is in the French city for a series of engagements in the Council of Europe, marking Ireland\u2019s presidency of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Tuesday evening he will join the president of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, in unveiling a bust of the long-time SDLP leader and key architect of the Good Friday agreement Mr Hume, which has been donated to the parliament by the Irish Government.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It marks the contribution the Nobel Peace Prize winner made during his 25 years as an MEP, and the inspiration he took from the European project in his work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bust has been created by artist Liz O\u2019Kane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Its presentation will be preceded by a lecture on Mr Hume to be given by Tory Peer Lord Patten of Barnes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dr Sean Farren, chairman of the John and Pat Hume Foundation said: \u201cThe unveiling of the magnificent bust of John Hume at the European Parliament in Strasbourg is a very important moment for the Hume family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt also hugely symbolic as the European Union inspired John Hume\u2019s journey of peace, reconciliation and diversity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe importance of the EU was clear from his very first visit to Strasbourg in 1979, as a member of the European Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJohn Hume believed that respect for difference was the first principle of European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cHis powerful words resonant as strong today, as the people of Ukraine suffer from the violence of others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cToday, in the face of adversity we must continue to choose the way of peace and step back from the shadow of war.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe must seek out justice and stand up against intolerance and tyranny.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe must make real the promise of conflict resolution and move away from the terrible spiral of violence.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Continuing his visit on Wednesday

online-pharmacy-uk.com<\/a><\/div> , the Taoiseach will address the plenary of the European Parliament, reflecting on the 50 years since Ireland decided to join the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He also hopes to meet the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, who will also be visiting the European Parliament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mr Martin said: \u201cI greatly look forward to my visit to Strasbourg, the seat of a number of vital European Institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIreland currently holds the presidency of the Council of Europe, a body which does vital work to support democracy, the rule of law and human rights across our continent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI look forward to discussing its work, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAt the European Parliament I will unveil a bust to mark the career of John Hume, a giant of Irish politics, who drew such inspiration from the European project in his work for peace in Ireland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI will also have the honor of addressing the Parliament\u2019s Plenary to mark 50 years since the Irish people decided to join the then European Community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThat decision was hugely transformative for the country and I will be expressing my view that those looking to join the EU now, including Ukraine, should be able to benefit from the same opportunities.\u201d<\/p>\n

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