Sculpture in honour of Daphne and Ján to be presented to the European Parliament

Work of art was unveiled during an exhibition organised by Casa in 2020

The sculpture created to honour the memory of murdered investigative journalists Daphne Caruana Galizia and Ján Kuciak will be presented to the European Parliament’s President David Maria Sassoli, and will find its place in the premises of the European Parliament. The decision was taken this week by the College of Quaestors, of which Maltese MEP David Casa is Member.

The work of art, produced by Slovak artist Martin Mjartan, was unveiled by Quaestor David Casa and Slovak Member of the European Parliament and Chairperson of the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová, in February 2020, on the occasion of the second anniversary from Ján Kuciak’s murder, during an exhibition organised at the European Parliament in Brussels, entitled ‘Immortal Truth’. The art installation includes a pillar in which the words ‘truth’ and ‘immortal’ are encased.

The opening of the exhibition was addressed by family members of Daphne Caruana Galizia and Ján Kuciak, as well as by the European Commission’s Vice President for Values and Transparency Věra Jourová, and the former European Parliament’s Vice President and now European Commissioner Mairead McGuinness.

MEP David Casa expressed satisfaction on this important news for the people of Malta and Slovakia. “The European Parliament takes the topic of the protection of journalists very seriously, especially since the murders of Daphne Caruana Galizia and Ján Kuciak over the past few years. This is seen through various reports, resolutions and initiative taken, not only to remember the murdered journalists, but also to propose new methods on how to protect investigative journalists and ensure that their work is followed-up by judicial processes,” MEP Casa said.

MEP Casa was instrumental for this initiative. “A few days after Daphne was murdered, the European Parliament named its Press Room in Strasbourg after Daphne Caruana Galizia. Late last year, we were successful in launching the Daphne Caruana Galizia Prize for Journalism which will be awarded for the first time in October this year. This is a concrete example of how much the European Parliament is on the side of truth and justice. This contrasts with the way the Maltese authorities continue to treat Daphne Caruana Galizia, even after being assassinated by individuals allegedly very close to the Prime Minister’s office.”

MEP Ďuriš Nicholsonová stated: “It is excellent news that we are one step closer to having this sculpture permanently exhibited in the European Parliament. Not only must we never forget Ján Kuciak and Daphne Caruana Galizia but we must continue to insist that full justice is served, not only for the murders but also for the stories these journalists exposed”.

The sculpture has been accepted by the Artistic Committee of the European Parliament and the College of Quaestors as its symbolism is related to European values; namely journalists’ freedom of expression. Made from steel, stainless steel and iron, the work of art is 2 metres high with a 50cm diameter, weighing 100 kilograms.