Director-General's remarks at the Ceremony of the official re-display of the painting by Mr. Elvio Chiricozzi “Né cielo né terra”

Re-display of the painting by Mr. Elvio Chiricozzi “Né cielo né terra”,
organized by the Permanent Mission of Italy in Geneva

Monday, 3 November 2025, at 1.00 p.m.
Hall XIV, Palais des Nations

Ambassador Grassi,
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the re-display of Elvio Chiricozzi’s remarkable painting “Né cielo né terra” (“Neither Heaven nor Earth”). I wish to express my sincere appreciation to the Permanent Mission of Italy for its generous support in restoring this extraordinary work of art and for organizing today’s ceremony. Thanks to your contribution, this unique piece once again greets all who enter this Hall – a place where the voices of nations come together to pursue cooperation and dialogue.

Donated to the United Nations Office at Geneva in 2001 by Italy, this painting has long been a part of the rich artistic heritage of the Palais des Nations. Today’s occasion is much more than the unveiling of a restored artwork. It is the renewal of a cultural symbol that has accompanied the Palais for nearly a quarter of a century, reflecting humanity’s constant search for balance: between the material and the spiritual, between the individual and the collective, and between our shared planet and the aspirations for peace.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Cultural diplomacy remains one of the most powerful means of fostering understanding among nations. Art transcends language and politics; it reminds us of our shared humanity and of the ideals upon which this Organization was founded. At the heart of the Palais des Nations lies a dialogue between art and diplomacy. Each mural, tapestry and sculpture in these halls tells a story of peace, cooperation, resilience and hope – reminding that culture is not a luxury, but a language of peace.

Within this dialogue, “Né cielo né terra” holds a special place. It portrays a human figure suspended between earth and sky – neither falling nor flying, embodying both hesitation and courage. In this tension, we recognize something profoundly human: the fragile balance between doubt and faith, gravity and aspiration.

In many ways, this work mirrors the spirit of multilateralism – the constant leap of faith we take together when we choose dialogue over division, cooperation over confrontation and compromise over isolation. Like the figure in the painting, we move forward – sustained by hope and trust to build a better world.

Italy has long been a steadfast partner in advancing this spirit, through its engagement in international cooperation and its commitment to cultural diplomacy. Beyond its artistic generosity, Italy’s diplomatic leadership, including its recent election to the Human Rights Council for the 2026-2028 term, underscores its enduring engagement in promoting human dignity and global cooperation.

Dear friends,

Let us view today’s ceremony not merely as a celebration of a restored painting, but as a reaffirmation of the enduring partnership between Italy and the United Nations – and of our collective commitment to building a more peaceful and just world.

Thank you.