A sculpture of Nobel laureate John Hume is to be unveiled by the Taoiseach at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.
The bronze bust of the former SDLP leader, a key architect of the Good Friday Agreement, marks his contribution during his 25 years as an MEP and the inspiration he took from the European project.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin will join the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, on Tuesday evening to unveil the sculpture, which has been donated by the Irish government.
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The bust of the late Nobel Peace Prize winner has been created by artist Liz O'Kane, originally from Ballymena.
Its presentation will be preceded by a lecture on Mr Hume to be given by Tory Peer Lord Patten of Barnes.
Dr Sean Farren, chairman of the John and Pat Hume Foundation, said the unveiling is a "very important moment for the Hume family".
He said: "It also hugely symbolic as the European Union inspired John Hume’s journey of peace, reconciliation and diversity.
“The importance of the EU was clear from his very first visit to Strasbourg in 1979, as a member of the European Parliament.
"John Hume believed that respect for difference was the first principle of European Union.
"His powerful words resonant as strong today, as the people of Ukraine suffer from the violence of others.
"Today, in the face of adversity we must continue to choose the way of peace and step back from the shadow of war.
"We must seek out justice and stand up against intolerance and tyranny.
"We must make real the promise of conflict resolution and move away from the terrible spiral of violence."
Ms Metsola said: "John Hume believed that difference should never be the source of hatred and conflict.
"He brought the conversation about brokering peace in Northern Ireland to Strasbourg, drawing from lessons learnt from French and German reconciliation.
"At the European Parliament, of which he was a member for 25 years, we celebrate his legacy of peace. His strong voice in defending European values and democracy is one we remember particularly with the return of war on our continent."
The bust is one of four created in honour Mr Hume, who died in 2020.
Two have been placed at the Irish embassies in Washington DC and London, while the fourth is to be erected in the Irish government's Department of Foreign Affairs at Iveagh House, Dublin.
Ms O'Kane told Belfast Live it was a "very proud moment and a real honour" to work on the project.
The Taoiseach will unveil the sculpture as part of a series of engagements in Strasbourg marking Ireland's presidency of the Council of Europe.
Continuing his visit on Wednesday, the Taoiseach will address the plenary of the European Parliament, reflecting on the 50 years since Ireland decided to join the European Union.
He also hopes to meet the Speaker of the Ukrainian Parliament, who will also be visiting the European Parliament.
Speaking ahead of his visit, Mr Martin said: "I greatly look forward to my visit to Strasbourg, the seat of a number of vital European Institutions.
"Ireland 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.
"I look forward to discussing its work, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.
"At 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.
"I will also have the honour of addressing the Parliament’s Plenary to mark 50 years since the Irish people decided to join the then European Community.
"That 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."
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