JOHN Hume’s son last night spoke of his family’s pride in their father’s legacy as a bust of the late SDLP leader was unveiled in Strasbourg.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin joined President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola at the official unveiling of the bust, created by Dublin-based sculptor Liz O’Kane.
The specially-commissioned piece is one of four memorials to the Nobel laureate and former MEP, two of which have already been installed in the Irish embassies in Washington DC and London, with the final one set to be erected in the Department of Foreign Affairs’ headquarters in Iveagh House, Dublin.
John Hume Junior and Sean Farren of the Hume Foundation were among guests from across Europe who came together to pay tribute to the man who played a central role in the rise of the civil rights movement and later in the peace process.
“Dad loved Strasbourg and as many people have noted here today he drew a lot of inspiration from its example as a place where power-sharing works and people come together for the common good,” the former Foyle MP’s son told The Irish News.
“He loved coming here and I think it made such a difference to his life.”
Mr Hume described yesterday’s evening’s event as a “very proud moment” for him and his family.
“It’s wonderful to be here to sample the warmth and welcoming words that my father would have loved so much,” he said.
The taoiseach too spoke of the late SDLP leader’s affection for Strasbourg and how during his 25 years as an MEP he was often struck by the city’s location, close to France’s border with Germany, and how just over three decades before John Hume was elected to the European Parliament, the two countries had been “embroiled in the most brutal and devastating war Europe had ever seen”.
“They came together to work for a prosperous and more peaceful Europe,” Mr Martin said.
“For John, this was an example of peace and reconciliation – he saw peace as a moral duty and his commitment to that was unwavering.”
Mr Martin, who will today address a plenary at the European Parliament to mark 50 years since Ireland joined the EU, said Mr Hume had made his life’s work the achievement of a “just and lasting peace for all the people of Ireland”.
“For this he succeeded, for which we all owe him a great debt of gratitude,” the taoiseach said.
He said John Hume’s commitment to the principles of non-violence and respect for diversity continued to inspire many across Europe.
President Metsola said Mr Hume saw the city of Strasbourg as a symbol of hope and that he appreciated the benefits of the European unity.
“He used the European Parliament precisely for the purpose for which it was created – to work to build our common ground and respect our differences,” she said.
She praised the former Northern Ireland MEP’s contributions at the European Parliament, saying she was “struck by constructive dialogue of reconciliation that John Hume was able to nurture with representatives of all sides”.
