The Guinness World Record holding “World Painting” embarked on a journey to France where it was displayed at the Paris headquarters of UNESCO and garnered praise for its message of unity and peace, QazMonitor reports.
The artwork was conceived in Kazakhstan by Daut Shaikhislam and Dana Ormanbayeva and executed during EXPO-2020 Dubai. It entered the Guinness World Record book for the largest number of people using and passing a paintbrush.
"World Painting" has made its way around the world already, featuring at the UN headquarters in New York and the National Museum of Kazakhstan. Its latest appearance at UNESCO promotes identical values to the organization whose main task is to facilitate cooperation and open dialogue between countries.
Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy and his wife, Carly Bruni, attended a private event at the exhibition and left their mark on the painting. They called the creators of the social project 'true citizens of the world'.
UNESCO Deputy Director General for Culture Ernesto Ottone praised its cultural value as he said, “This painting, especially in these difficult times, reminds us of the importance of coming together”.
The Embassy of Kazakhstan hosted a second exhibition for the painting the next day. Well-known peace activist and journalist Marek Halmer, Assistant Director-general of UNESCO's Africa Department Firmin Matoko, and European state officials were among the guests of honor.
"I was delighted by the unanimity of all who took up the brush. This is very important. Not everyone can paint, but the fact that more than two thousand people touched the canvas to leave their mark, struck by their desire for peace, for good – that's what's important."
