Art installation at the cathedral: 10 years of Laudato si' - hope and action!

Art installation at the cathedral: 10 years of Laudato si' - hope and action!

A special event will be celebrated in the Archdiocese of Bamberg on June 25, 2025: On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis' encyclical “Laudato Si” an art installation will be opened that both stimulates reflection and gives hope. The campaign is entitled “Our (Environmental) World – Hope and Action” and is intended to delight visitors and encourage them to rethink until August 31st, according to reports Cathedral radio.

The installations include the impressive sculpture “People of Glass” by artist HA Schult, which consists of figures made from glass waste and PET bottles in front of the cathedral and in the cloister. This creative examination of the scarcity of resources and the vulnerability of creation is interpreted by the archdiocese as a strong sign of responsibility in dealing with the environment. The aim is to create awareness of our earth's valuable but also finite resources, explained laudatosi.erzbistum-bamberg.de.

A space of hope

In addition to the art installation, a green oasis will be created in front of the cathedral, equipped with trees, bushes and benches. This oasis is framed by quotes from “Laudato si” and is intended to offer passers-by a place of peace and reflection. Here people can record their hopes and complaints about creation. According to Birgit Kastner, the main department head for art and culture in the Archdiocese of Bamberg, art and creativity have the power to connect people and inspire them to act.

The initiative is also complemented by an open-air installation that will be on display in the city center from June 25th to August 3rd. Flags are presented here that show texts by the poet Eugen Gomringer. These are interpreted by Nora Gomringer in the context of creation and bring a further dimension to the awareness of responsibility for creation.

The global context

The encyclical “Laudato Si,” published in 2015, addresses the most pressing environmental challenges of our time. Pope Francis calls for an ecological conversion and emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for the common home. In his last address, the Pope reiterated that the current generation must act not only for itself, but also for future generations. His words were heard worldwide, not only in religious but also in non-Christian spaces, where the message of responsibility for creation is perceived as relevant Vatican News reported.

Despite the positive reception, there are still regressions in the way we deal with creation. The message is clear: every individual is asked to actively contribute to improvement by rethinking our way of life. The project title “Our (surrounding) world – hope and action” makes it clear that it is also about hope for a better future.

Overall, the installation is not just a work of art, but a call to all of us to question our approach to the environment and take responsibility. Visitors to the Archdiocese of Bamberg are invited to become part of this important discussion.