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culture

Recently you experienced an unusual situation the lonely days of the pandemic when the Palais
– you found yourself totally alone surrounded was completely empty, you visited me every day.
by the dark buildings and dark park. How did The pandemic period was the most difficult
you feel? time for me as everything was unknown and it
Actually this time it was not so bad because I am was not clear how it would evolve: something I
still completely covered awaiting inauguration, had never experienced before. But now I have
and I know that there are renovation works so hope and know that all difficulties are temporary
the unusual situation was fully justified. But I and soon the Palais will open its doors and will
remember more dramatic events, as I’ve already be again filled with people. I hope that the old
mentioned, like when the Palais was fully dark in tradition of the Open Days will return, and that
1940 during the evacuation. However, even then, the halls will be filled not only with delegates but
a group of people refused to evacuate, among with the innocent laughter of children. This is
them the acting Secretary-General, Sean Lester, the proof of the secure and peaceful world we
appointed after Avenol’s resignation. Mr Lester, are building for them.
as Captain of the Navire, never left me; he even Yes, we hope so too! Let’s keep this hope! •
lived at the Palais throughout WWII, without
electricity or basic amenities. But of course, you
already know all this: your Chief Editor, Marit
Fosse, brilliantly details this in her book “Sean
Lester: The Guardian of a Small Flickering
Light”. It describes how he tried to keep the
light of future peace alive and pass it over to the
UN. In addition to Mr. Lester, of course, I was
surrounded by the UN flags, symbolizing unity:
a shame that they were later moved to the front
door, I’ve always thought.

We will tell the story of the flags another
time, but of course now you are accompanied
by an even more significant symbol of
unity: Pistoletto’s “Rebirth” statue in stones,
symbolizing all Member States of the UN
together.
Yes, I have now the stones as the images of the (The author expresses deep gratitude to Jean-
countries and their unity. It is an important Claude Pallas, former Chief of SBST of the UNOG
symbol, but not many people seem to know and the author of the book «Histoire et architecture
about it now; they mostly come and sit on them, du Palais des Nations (1924-2001). L’Art Déco au
not realizing their importance as it is less obvious service des relations internationales» for courtesy
than the flags’ symbolism. There was another photos and factual material. The above story
important symbol, but it was unfortunately is written based on the archives of the LoN, US
destroyed during a thunderstorm in 1946: the State archives, the Wilson Foundation and other
year of League of Nations’ dissolution. That was archives on Paul Manship’s oeuvres, including
the Temple of Peace, built by the founder of private archives. It is also based on numerous
the Peace Society in Geneva, Count de Sellon. documents and researches, including Webster
I would love for this to be restored and placed University research by Pierre-Etienne Bourneuf
close to Pistoletto’s stones, reinforcing the sense “La Sphère armillaire: l’histoire d’un mémorial“
of rebirth, unity and peace. (Revue Suisse d’histoire, 2018, Ein Dienst der
ETH-Bibliothek ETH Zürich www.library.ethz.
But I’m not short of company – Revilliod is always ch 2018, www.e-periodica.ch 2023) plus personal
close to me, I have bees as my neighbours, I am years-long research and archive collection. Also, a
guarded by the Cedre du Liban of Revilliod, and bit of imagination!)
have peacocks as frequent visitors. And during

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