Raoul Wallenberg Monument, London facts for kids
A special monument to Raoul Wallenberg stands in London, England. You can find it at Great Cumberland Place, close to the Marble Arch area. It's located outside the Western Marble Arch Synagogue and near the Swedish Embassy. This monument honors Raoul Wallenberg, a brave person who saved many lives during a very difficult time in history.
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What Does the Monument Look Like?
The monument is a large bronze statue, about 10 feet tall. It was created by a sculptor named Philip Jackson. The statue shows Raoul Wallenberg standing in front of a bronze wall. This wall is made to look like 100,000 special "protective passes" called Schutzpässe. Raoul Wallenberg used these passes to help save Hungarian Jews during the Holocaust. The Holocaust was a terrible time when millions of Jewish people were persecuted and killed.
When Was the Monument Unveiled?
The monument was officially revealed on February 26, 1997. Queen Elizabeth II herself unveiled it. Many important people attended the ceremony. These included the President of Israel, Ezer Weizman, and the Secretary General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan. Many people who had survived the Holocaust were also there. Kofi Annan gave a speech at the event.
The unveiling happened during a special visit by President Weizman to the United Kingdom. This kind of visit is called a state visit, which means it's a formal visit by a head of state to another country. Other important people at the ceremony included Sigmund Sternberg and Robert Davis.
Why Is It a Monument, Not a Memorial?
When the statue was first shown, it was called a "monument" instead of a "memorial." This is because Raoul Wallenberg's family believed there was no clear proof that he had died. In 1997, if he had been alive, Raoul Wallenberg would have been 84 years old.
Other Monuments to Raoul Wallenberg
There is another monument in the United Kingdom that also honors Raoul Wallenberg. It is located in Cardiff, Wales. You can find it near the Welsh National War Memorial in Alexandra Gardens.
