About the project
The Tolerance Monument is the central theme of the Tolerance Park, located on the south eastern outskirts of Jerusalem between the Arab village of Jebel Mukaber and the Jewish neighborhood of Armon Hanatziv. This inspirational 17meter bronze statue is in the form of two halves of a broken column which stand divided but still linked. An olive tree grows in the middle of the split column and with its leaves seeks to encompass and shade both halves. The tree enables the two parts of the column to link together in symbolic coexistence. And a new seed sprouting, a golden grain of tolerance. The Sculpture was inspired and envisioned by Aleksander Gudzowaty, the donor, and executed by sculptor Czeslaw Dzwigaj, a Professor of the Academy of Fine Arts in Krakow, Poland. In Israel landscape architects in the offices of Shlomo Aronson developed a plan for the park which complimented the message of the monument, yet made a statement of its own, because the park is located opposite the UN HQ compound the architects created the park based on the design of a world map, using rocks trees grasses and plants they created a collage which brought life to this majestic work of art.
Gudzowaty’s vision is that tolerance makes coexistence possible, it is a basic and necessary requirement for people of different cultures, attitudes and beliefs to flourish and develop. Dedication of the Park took place on the 15th of September 2008 in the presence of the donor Aleksander Gudzowaty, and former Polish President Lech Walesa, as well as dignitaries from Poland and Israel. It is the hope of the donor, and all those involved in the project, that this site can be a place where both the Arab and Jewish population can meet, interact and get to know each other, and that the Monument will be an enduring symbol of tolerance, respect and peace.The monument can be seen from any location in Jerusalem
