Roots and Ties for Peace
Roots and Ties For Peace is a stainless-steel sculpture located on the North Lawn at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Artist Yolanda d’Augsburg Ulm portrayed her cultural roots in Europe and her emotional ties to Brazil. The sculpture represents the Americas joining forces to work for peace. The sculpture weighs 880 pounds and measures 18 feet in height and 7 feet in diameter. It took three months to complete.
Foreign Minister of Brazil Ramiro Saraiva Guerreiro presented the gift to the United Nations on behalf of the Brazilian Government. He said the sculpture symbolized the aspirations of harmony and peace, which is what the United Nations is dedicated to. The work reflects universal thoughts and feelings. The artist’s greatest dream was for peace and she hoped that the nations meeting at the United Nations Headquarters would continue to pursue peace for mankind.
Former Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Brian E. Urquhart, accepted the gift for the United Nations. He thanked the artist for the inspirational work and showed his warmest regards to the Government of Brazil. He said, “this sculpture, which came with the love and wishes of the artist who made it, will be a great source of pleasure and refreshment to New York and to the United Nations.” Others attending the ceremony included the Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations, George Maciel, Brazilian parliamentarians, and members of the Brazilian and Spanish delegations to the General Assembly session.