ART FOR PEACE – 2026
Our “Common Home” will be the theme of the ninth edition of the project Art for Peace. Inspired by the reflections made by Martin Luther King Jr., that Humanity has inherited a “big house” where everyone must live together — whites, blacks, Asians, Westerners, Jews, Gentiles, Catholics, and Protestants. He argued that we need to be united despite our differences and that we all share a common destiny, and if we do not learn to live together as brothers, we will perish together as fools. We have two options before us: non-violence or collective annihilation.
Nothing could be more relevant today than his thinking. We have been witnessing wars and conflicts between countries that believe they have the right to destroy lives and cultures, and to seize natural resources and territories as if they were the “owners of the world,” leaving a trail of death and violence in their wake.
The failure of international diplomacy to contain the spread of discord and restore dialogue is a shame, and a sense of insecurity and vulnerability is spreading across all continents. Once again, quoting the insightful words of Martin Luther King:
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
To reflect on the moment we are living through, we invite artists from all corners of the world to express their indignation, criticism, protest, and aspirations for our shared future. Will we overcome our differences and remain united against injustice? Or will we fall victim to our own selfishness and ignorance? Will it be too late to reclaim humanity’s highest values?
From this perspective, we believe that the only global solution is non-violence, dialogue, and respect for life above all else. Coexistence and the strengthening of community ties are an excellent antidote to authoritarianism, injustice, and violence. The human community needs to move beyond indifference and acceptance of evil as an unchangeable fact. Despite the difficulties and complexity of the current context, we believe that art can help us navigate this moment with more dignity, creativity, beauty, and even humor. Let’s use our voices and talents to create a more peaceful society, based on dialogue and mutual respect. Inspired by these reflections, we invite artists to submit their creations and thoughts on how art can raise the level of political, ecological, and spiritual awareness in society.
“It is not the violence of the few that scares me, but the silence of the many.” – Martin Luther King
We remind you that the project Art for Peace is not a competition, it’s an artistic celebration where everyone can participate with their creations and reflections on the proposed theme. Check the criteria and rules for participation.