From the end of April to the beginning of May 2022, Michael Patrick Kelly’s #PeaceBell transformed the Frauenkirche Dresden into a resonating chamber of peace. The bell, cast fromleftover ammunition, was a vivid reminder of how wars once turned church bells intoweapons – and symbolically reversed this history. Visitors were able to trace the bell’s origins, the concert events and its message in a compact exhibition.

The #PeaceTalk on 8 May concluded the event: Kelly explained his motivation in a discussion with peace consultant Andreas Dieterich, while other activists contributed theirperspectives. At the same time, he presented a limited 2nd edition of the small PeaceBell – itwas quickly sold out, so the proceeds were donated to Art Helps to support children in Ukraine.

The Dresden presentation thus became not only a retrospective of war history, but also a current appeal for respect, cohesion and concrete help.