*The artist and activist Jens Galschiøt (DK) joins the homeless
organizations to put focus on the great number of homeless in Europe by
visiting the European Parliament 12th to 16th April.
*Galschiøt has created 13 big bronze sculptures of homeless people, all in
natural size. These very heavy sculptures are by now on their way to the
European Parliament to act as the start signal for a debate in all member
countries about the conditions under which the homeless have to cope.
*It has been a huge task to cast and create the many sculptures on which I
have worked for two years. But they are intended to initiate a dialogue and
put these problems on the agenda, and that makes it all worthwhile. I do not
think that homelessness should exist anywhere in the EU, says Jens
Galschiøt. Bronze sculptures are usually put up to honor kings and other
important powerful persons. I have chosen to act the other way round and use
the noble material and my art to tell the story of the back side of society
and that way give voice to these people who are normally ignored.
***Hearing in the EU on homelessness***
*In connection with the exhibition there will be a hearing where European
politicians have a unique opportunity to learn about homelessness. The
project UDENFOR (outside) and among others the Danish MEP Britta Thomsen
(social democrat) in cooperation with the European umbrella FEANTSA will put
focus on homelessness .
*This takes place during a hearing in the European Parliament on Wednesday
April the 14th which Britta Thomsen and a number of other MEPs will host.
The hearing will lay forward the challenges to the European societies and
present some relevant solutions to concrete problems. Present at the hearing
will be Lászlo Andor EU Commissioner for employment, social affairs and
inclusion, Philippe Courard, representative for the Belgian Government and
Eric Marlier, independent expert. Former homeless will also attend the
hearing to relate about their experiences and to contribute to find
solutions for the future.
***Tour de Europe***
*After the visit to the European Parliament the sculptures start on a great
tour de Europe. A number of exhibitions in public places are intended to
start up discussions about unemployment in cooperation with local
organisations for the homeless. The following towns in Denmark are to be
visited this spring, København, Odense, Aarhus, Aalborg.
*The exhibition and the campaigns are implemented on the initiative of
“Projekt UDENFOR “and the project can be followed on www.welcomehomeless.org
***For more information:***
*Free photos of the sculpture: www.aidoh.dk/EU-Homeless
*The artist Jens Galschiøt tlf.: +45 6618 4058/ mobil +45 4044 7058
aidoh@aidoh.dk , Info Galschiot: www.aidoh.dk