To mark the 6th anniversary of Ari’s installation in Berlin-Moabit, we would like to once again highlight its strong symbolic power in the fight against militarism and sexual violence. The peace statue was set up in Moabit on the 28th of September in the year 2020. Just ten days later, as a result of political pressure from the Japanese government, the monument came under scrutiny by the Mitte District Office. For five years, together with many supporters, we successfully fought to prevent its removal. One particularly meaningful experience in this long struggle was how much Ari’s significance grew through the people who stood with her in solidarity. Numerous artists supported out resistance with music, performances, literature and other forms of artistic expressions, thereby giving the memorial a peaceful yet powerful character. By our side were activists from all around the world as well as feminist scholars. In this way Ari grew beyond her original meaning, becoming a living place of remembrance, solidarity and resistance against sexualized violence, colonialism and militarism. Once again, this year, a …
After months of legal wrangling, the situation is now coming to a head: the Mitte district office has issued a demolition order for the Statue of Peace on 7 October. This is intended to silence a central place of remembrance against sexualised violence. Together, we will take to the streets to protest against the announced demolition and demand: Ari stays!
The fight to keep the statue of peace in place continues. AG-“Trostfrauen” and Korea Verband invite you to join us on 28 September at the Peace Statue. Together we will show our presence and send a clear message. In addition to speeches, we will weave the red net of the art action ‘Sangre de mi Sangre’ by Colectiva Hilos – as a sign against patriarchal violence and feminicide.
In April, the Berlin Administrative Court ruled that Ari may remain in public space until at least 28 September. That day is now fast approaching – but our demand remains the same: Ari must stay permanently!
Korea Verband deeply regret that the District Office of Mitte continues its attempts to displace the Statue of Peace “Ari” from public space.
On June 28, 2025, the Statue of Peace “Đồng Mai” was unveiled in the courtyard of the Women’s Museum in Bonn, Germany.
Berlin Administrative Court decides: The Statue of Peace may remain until September 28, 2025.
“Share your Solidarity!” enabled youth to engage with the history of the “comfort women”.
The Statue of Peace “Đồng Mai” will be unveiled on March 8 in front of the NS Documentation Center in Cologne.
