Members of the ECR Group in the European Committee of the Regions attended an exhibition of the Hansa Group of the ECR Group in the European Parliament on 6 February. The exhibition illustrated Europe’s shared journey towards peace looking at how this was depicted in the form of angel statues across Europe.

It was put together by European Conservative and Reformist MEPs Rupert Matthews (United Kingdom), Hans-Olaf Henkel (Germany), Morten Messerschmidt (Denmark), Laurentiu Rebega (Romania), and Ulrike Trebesius (Germany).

The exhibition features sculptures of angels on war memorials. The angels are significant; they are a symbol of divine protection for the dead and of the peace that had returned after the First World War. The same symbolism is to be found right across Europe, showing that our continent has a shared culture, shared history and shared future.

The European Parliament exhibition, entitled Angels of Peace, opened on 4 February and features pictures and details of memorials chosen by the hosting MEPs.

At the exhibition launch, ECR Group Member from Lithuania Daiva Matoniene said: “I was pleased to attend the Angels of Peace exhibition organised by our ECR Group MEPs. The angels show the shared cultural heritage of the European nations that were torn apart by war but are now united in peace. By emphasising what we have in common we can put our differences into perspective.”

Mr Matthews added: “I am particularly pleased to co-host this exhibition with Hans-Olaf Henkel. His house was destroyed in a WWII bombing raid at the same time as my father was serving with RAF Bomber Command. It is poignant that of the Member States whose MEPs are co-hosting this event, two were on the side of the Allies and two on the side of the Axis. To ensure peace in Europe going forwards we must remember our past, celebrate our shared culture and look forward to a peaceful future”.

At the exhibition, ECR CoR Members were joined by fellow ECR MEPs, staff and European Union officials.