On 11 November 2018 – the historic Armistice Day of 1918 – the first #PeaceBell byMichael Patrick Kelly was ceremoniously unveiled in the Christuskirche Mainz. The bell, cast from war metal, was rung for the first time in front of over 300 guests and rung by children as a sign of a peaceful future.

The afternoon was hosted by presenter Wolfram Kons, accompanied by movingspeeches, video sequences and personal insights from the artist. The presence ofthe Israeli-Palestinian couple Guggenheim Shbeta made it clear that understandingis possible even under the most difficult conditions – such as in the Neve Shalom / Wahat al Salam peace village, which is supported by the PeaceBell initiative.

With the unveiling, the #PeaceBell became a visible and audible symbol ofreconciliation, tolerance and the joint commitment to peace – supported by art, community and the power of the moment.