On the picture Archbishop Aldo Cavalli, Apostolic Nuncio, Ambassador Aida Luz Santos de Escobar and the Mayor of Almere, Mr Franc Weerwind.
Unveil Bust of Monsignor Oscar Romero by the Embassy of El Salvador and the Salvadoran Community in the Netherlands.
A bust of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero y Galdámez was unveiled on March 24 2017, as part of the commemoration of the XXXVII anniversary of the martyrdom of the most universal of Salvadorans as well as the thirty-third anniversary of the gesture of friendship that the Government of the Kingdom of The Netherlands had with a group of Salvadoran in 1984, when a new opportunity of life was given through political asylum.
The unveiling ceremony was presided over by the Mayor of Almere, Franc Weerwind and the Ambassador of El Salvador, Her Excellency Mrs Aida Luz Santos de Escobar.
The group of Salvadorans settled since 1984 in the city of Almere, where from that time, they made their new place to live next to their children and more recently their grandchildren. In this city, they not only became Dutch citizens, with their different customs and traditions, but also saw their generations grow, adopting the principles and values that this country offered them. From those circumstances come the special feeling of gratitude towards the city of Almere and its people.
The unveiling of the bust of Monsignor Romero also served as a stage to pay special tribute to the memory of a group of Dutch journalists who, in the context of the armed conflict, died in El Salvador in 1982.
In her intervention, Ambassador Santos de Escobar expressed “Today is a day of joy not just for El Salvador but also for many nations that permanently look for justice. The memory of Monsignor Romero led the United Nations to declare every March 24 the International day of truth, to keep alive the memory of the victims that have suffered human rights violations and to pay tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to promote and protect human rights”
Within the framework of the strengthening of bilateral relations, the unveiling of the bust made possible to renew the ties of friendship between the peoples and governments of El Salvador and the Netherlands, a gesture made by the Ambassador of El Salvador, Aida Luz Santos de Escobar, to the Director of the Latin American Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mr. Matthis Wolters.
The bust of Monsignor Romero was installed in the surroundings of financial center of Almere and was supported by different organizations who promote art, culture and social work, such as Cultuurfonds of Almere, Vastenactie, Lions Club Almere Veritas, Boogaart-Almere, among others. It is hoped that the image of Monsignor Romero will give new generations the knowledge of the work of Monsignor Romero in favor of justice and peace for El Salvador.
The bust is an Artwork made in bronze by the Dutch sculptress Paulina Martin de Kreij, who in the artistic process of elaboration, facilitated and included young entrepreneurs and art students from the city of Almere, with the intention of promoting creativity , dedication and talent for art and culture.
