To mark International Women's Day, the Italian Consulate General in Barcelona, in collaboration with the European Institute of Design (IED) and the Italian Cultural Institute, inaugurated the red bench 'Fragments of Silence' in the waiting room. The installation is part of the initiative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, which envisages the installation of a red bench in every embassy and consulate of the Italian diplomatic network to combat gender-based violence and discrimination against women.
The "Fragments of Silence" project, conceived by IED students Federico Jelmini and Abdelaziz Mustafa, with the collaboration of Alex Estévez and Mermelada Studio, symbolises the fracture that all gender-based violence opens in our societies. The bench, divided into two parts by a conspicuous crack, represents the fracture and social division caused by violence, but at the same time the hope that open wounds can be healed through unity, cohesion and collective commitment. The crack across the seat is not only a sign of fracture, but also an invitation to rebuild together what has been divided.
"Fragments of Silence" invites everyone to reflect on the power of solidarity and the importance of joining forces to tackle injustice. The bench is not just a design object, but a call to action: whoever sits on it is invited to take up the cause of the fight against gender-based violence.
In this context, Consul General Emanuele Manzitti stressed the importance of collaborating with institutions such as IED and using design and youth creativity to amplify the message against gender-based violence.
The ceremony was attended by Victoria Alsina, head of the District of Gracia, the district of Barcelona where IED is based, IED director Andrea Marchesi, the head of the Design Area, Raffaella Perrone, representatives from the Italian Cultural Institute and the Italian model and influencer, Renata Zanchi.
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