It’s been thirty years since the late Nelson Mandela visited Montreal and in honour of the former world leader, a stunning mural commemorating Mandela's visit, was unveiled earlier today.
The mural, entitled “Long Walk to Freedom” after Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, was created by artist Franco Égalité and was produced in collaboration with charitable organization MU MTL and acclaimed muralist Kevin Ledo.
It is painted on the wall of Union United Church on Atwater at the corner of Delisle Street where Mandela spoke on his trip to the city on June 19, 1990.
“This Nelson Mandela mural will help ensure that justice and equality remain indelibly etched in the minds of all those who look upon this image of a man who dedicated his life to the highest ideals,” noted Erene Anthony, former Chair of the Board and member of the Union United Church.
Source: Olivier Bousquet
Here is what the press release says about the historic visit:
On June 19, 1990, in the months following his February release that year, Nelson Mandela made a whirlwind three-and-a-half-hour visit to Montreal, one of the first cities in the world to have actively campaigned against apartheid. Invited as part of his global recognition tour, the South African leader visited the Union United Church to greet the congregation. It had been at the forefront of the fight to release ANC (African National Congress) members held as political prisoners and overturn South African apartheid laws. Later, Mandela was received at Montreal City Hall by Mayor Jean Doré. There, Mandela was cheered by nearly 20,000 people gathered behind the building at Place Champ-de-Mars.
“This piece of public art is a strong gesture intended to curb the increase everywhere in discriminatory practices around race, and to convey a message of hope, tolerance, peace and social justice,” said Michael P. Farkas, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Round Table on Black History Month.
Source: Olivier Bousquet
