A Garden of Peace “is a place that brings calm to counterbalance the violence of combat,” explains Gilbert Fillinger, the director of d’Art & Jardins Hauts-de-France. It is no accident that the idea originated here, in the region that suffered the most from the four years of war. Historically, this is a region that rouses the courage to “get back up and take up the challenges you are faced with”.
Situated near some of the major Great War remembrance locations, the gardens were designed by landscapers, artists, and architects from the 35 warring nations. This illustrates not only the international dimension of the conflict but also the potential force of fraternity. They are an invitation to sit down, to question yourself about the meaning of peace, to develop an inner strength equipping you to better face the future.
The Gardens of Peace have a positive, constructive approach to the duty of remembrance, where Canadian serviceberries, dogwood, steeplebush – all white flowers and never the same ones – are prevalent, always giving the same feeling of peace and calm, as if echoing the white flag. “A universal message,” finishes Gilbert Fillinger.
