The Eye that Cries Facts for Kids

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The Eye that Cries

Coordinates	12°04′03″S 77°02′24″W / 12.06737°S 77.03989°W / -12.06737; -77.03989
Location	El Campo de Marte in Lima, Peru
Designer	Lika Mutal
Beginning date	28 August 2005

The Eye that Cries (El Ojo que Llora in Spanish) is a special memorial in Peru. It was created to remember the many people who suffered during a difficult time in the country's history. It also helps Peruvians remember what happened and encourages peace.

This memorial is part of a bigger plan called The Memory Alameda. This plan will include more art, green spaces, and a museum. The museum is called the Museum of Memory (Yuyanapaq).

History of The Eye That Cries Memorial
Artist's Inspiration and Design
How The Memorial Helps People
See also

History of The Eye That Cries Memorial

The memorial, The Eye That Cries, was finished in 2005. It is located in El Campo de Marte park in Jesús María District, Lima. The idea and design came from Lika Mutal. She is a Dutch artist who lives in New York and Lima. At the center of the memorial is a black stone. Lika Mutal found this stone near an old cemetery.

Remembering Victims of Conflict

The memorial was built to honor about 70,000 people. These people died or disappeared during a period of violence in Peru. This violence was caused by both the government's military and a group called the Shining Path. The Shining Path (Sendero Luminoso in Spanish) was a group that used extreme violence. They fought against the government and anyone who disagreed with their ideas. The government forces also contributed to the violence.

Most of these terrible events happened between 1980 and 2000. For a long time, people didn't talk much about them. But then, the Peruvian Commission of Truth and Reconciliation (CVR) brought these events to light. After President Alberto Fujimori left the country in 2000, human rights groups started to investigate. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission began to help Peru deal with what had happened.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission's Report

The Peruvian Commission of Truth and Reconciliation (CVR) released a public report in 2003. It described the events of those two decades. The report pushed the Peruvian government to remember all the victims. The CVR's detailed report said that 69,280 people died or disappeared. About 600,000 people had to leave their homes. Also, 40,000 children became orphans.

The commission also reported that most victims were indigenous people. They lived in isolated mountain areas. About 85 percent of all victims were indigenous. Because they were often ignored and lived far away, their suffering went unreported. They were powerless against both the Shining Path and the government.

Controversy Over Names at the Memorial

The Shining Path caused more than half of the nearly 70,000 deaths. However, 41 members of the Shining Path were also added to the names at The Eye That Cries memorial. This happened because of a conflict in Castro Castro prison in 1992. Important leaders of the Shining Path were captured and put in this prison. In 1992, there was a military raid at Castro Castro. Forty-one Shining Path members were killed over four days.

Adding these 41 names caused a disagreement. Many Peruvians saw the Shining Path members as terrorists, not victims. They felt it was wrong to include them among the victims.

The Role of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission

Evidence showed that President Fujimori's government was corrupt. This led him to leave Peru in 2000. An investigation into his government began in 2000. Human rights groups then urged Peru to form the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (CVR). This commission would investigate the violence and corruption from the 1980s.

When the CVR finished its report in August 2003, it suggested creating memorials. These memorials would honor the many victims of the violence. In 2004, the district of Jesus Maria in Lima was chosen for a project. This project was called Alameda de La Memoria. It would give a place for the voices of those who suffered to be heard. This project would be in Campo de Marte park. It would include The Eye that Cries memorial.

Artist's Inspiration and Design

Lika Mutal was inspired after visiting the Yuyanapaq exhibit. This exhibit showed photos from Peru's long conflict. Lika, who works mainly with stone, saw her materials differently after this visit. She said that when she saw a stone, the words "The Eye that Cries" came to her mind. After this, she decided to create the memorial. She raised money from private sponsors and donations.

The Eye that Cries is in the middle of a labyrinth. This labyrinth is made of tens of thousands of rocks. Each rock has a name, age, and year of death of a victim. The main sculpture represents Pachamama, which means Mother Earth in the Quechua language. In the center of the sculpture, a small stone shaped like an eye constantly drips water.

How The Memorial Helps People

For the families and friends of those who suffered, The Eye That Cries is a place to grieve. It helps them deal with the loss and pain caused by the violence. For families whose loved ones disappeared, this memorial is often the only place they can mourn.

Many people visit the memorial and leave flowers. They place them next to the stones with their loved ones' names. This helps them remember, especially when a body was never found. Having this public place to remember is very important. It helps keep the memory alive. The site also helps Peruvians try to understand the past. It shows the country's difficult history openly. Remembering the past also helps strengthen ideas of democracy. The memorial hosts yearly events, like a ceremony on El Dia De Los Muertos. It also hosts Buddhist prayer ceremonies.

The Eye that Cries facts for kids

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