Human Rights Monument, obelisk in Brussels, Belgium
The Human Rights Monument is a 12-meter-high obelisk memorial in Brussels built from multicolored stones. The stones range from dark tones at the base to very light shades at the top, which appear to blend into the sky.
The monument was inaugurated in 2018 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and unveiled on December 10. This date was chosen because it commemorates when the declaration was adopted in 1948.
The monument bears the 30 articles of the Human Rights Declaration carved in four languages into its stone. This multilingual design reflects the idea that fundamental rights apply equally to all people, regardless of where they live or what language they speak.
The monument is located in Tour & Taxis, an accessible public area with nearby paths and benches. Visitors can take time to read the inscriptions and reflect in the relatively quiet surroundings.
The stones of the obelisk come from quarries around the world and were deliberately selected to vary in color from dark at the bottom to light at the top. Architect Bas Smets describes the structure as a frozen sunbeam, symbolizing the hope and permanence of human rights ideals.
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