Northern Ireland

International peace symbol The Knotted Gun unveiled in Belfast

The Knotted Gun sculpture was unveiled at a ceremony at Girdwood Community Hub in north Belfast
The Knotted Gun sculpture was unveiled at a ceremony at Girdwood Community Hub in north Belfast The Knotted Gun sculpture was unveiled at a ceremony at Girdwood Community Hub in north Belfast

AN international symbol of peace, created after the murder of John Lennon, has been unveiled in Belfast.

The Knotted Gun by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd has been gifted to the city by the Olsson family from Sweden.

It will be on permanent display at Girdwood Community Hub in north Belfast.

The oversized Colt Python .357 Magnum revolver with a knotted barrel and muzzle pointing upward is the symbol of The Non-Violence Project Foundation (NVPF).

It promotes social change through violence-prevention education programmes.

Belfast joins several cities including New York, Tokyo, Stockholm, Cape Town and Berlin that host a permanent copy of the sculpture.

As owners of ferry company Stena Line, the Olsson family has a long-standing relationship with the city.

"The unveiling of The Knotted Gun sculpture will also herald the start of a process of greater engagement for Belfast with the NVPF, and perhaps there are examples and inspirations from around the world that we can harness here to hopefully play a small part in this continuing journey for Belfast and Northern Ireland," said Stena Line owner Dan Sten Olsson.

NVPF chairman Jan Hellman added: "To be here in Belfast and be a part of the unveiling of the world's strongest peace symbol, the Knotted Gun, is an important step for the Non-Violence Project Foundation.

"The symbol is a universal message of peace and non-violence, it speaks louder than words, crossing all cultures, religions and ages and it is an honour to welcome Belfast as an official city for peace."