Near UN in Geneva, Giant Fresco Advocates for World without Weapons 

An aerial photograph taken on September 11, 2023 shows a giant biodegradable land art painting by French artist Guillaume Legros, aka SAYPE, representing a hand fixing the fourth leg to the "Broken Chair" a monumental wood sculpture installed in front of the Palace of Nations, which houses the United Nations offices in Geneva. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
An aerial photograph taken on September 11, 2023 shows a giant biodegradable land art painting by French artist Guillaume Legros, aka SAYPE, representing a hand fixing the fourth leg to the "Broken Chair" a monumental wood sculpture installed in front of the Palace of Nations, which houses the United Nations offices in Geneva. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
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Near UN in Geneva, Giant Fresco Advocates for World without Weapons 

An aerial photograph taken on September 11, 2023 shows a giant biodegradable land art painting by French artist Guillaume Legros, aka SAYPE, representing a hand fixing the fourth leg to the "Broken Chair" a monumental wood sculpture installed in front of the Palace of Nations, which houses the United Nations offices in Geneva. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)
An aerial photograph taken on September 11, 2023 shows a giant biodegradable land art painting by French artist Guillaume Legros, aka SAYPE, representing a hand fixing the fourth leg to the "Broken Chair" a monumental wood sculpture installed in front of the Palace of Nations, which houses the United Nations offices in Geneva. (Fabrice COFFRINI / AFP)

On the square across from the United Nations in Geneva, Swiss-French artist SAYPE has used eco-friendly paint to create a giant fresco intended to draw attention to the plight of civilians in armed conflicts.

Working with the Handicap International charity, the 34-year-old painted a gigantic hand on a grass canvas using chalk and coal that, from above, can be seen repairing a huge wooden sculpture known as the Broken Chair.

The three-legged Broken Chair, a work by Swiss artist Daniel Berset erected on Place des Nations in 1997, was designed to raise awareness about the impact of landmines on civilians in conflict zones.

"The idea was to paint a hand that comes to fix the broken leg," SAYPE told Reuters as he stood near his fresco, which is called "All Of Us".

"In my mind, this hand represents the whole world and that we can all get involved and help Handicap International in its fight."

Handicap International was founded in 1982 to assist Cambodian refugees who had lost limbs and it co-founded the International Campaign to Ban Landmines (ICBL) in 1992, which won the Nobel Peace Prize.

It assists vulnerable populations around the world, including civilians who have lost limbs due to armed conflict.

The issue of landmines even more topical due to the war in Ukraine, SAYPE said.

The number of people killed or wounded by cluster munitions has increased massively and the destruction in June of the Kakhovka dam and resulting flooding has most likely displaced many mines, creating more danger for civilians.

"For most of my projects, I try to use art to spread messages," SAYPE said. "I like to say that I impact society without impacting nature."

SAYPE is mostly known for his "Beyond Walls" series in which he spray painted giant hands clasping each other in cities including Berlin, Istanbul and Cape Town.



Saudi Pavilion Launches Cultural Exchange Program at Expo 2025 Osaka

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi Pavilion Launches Cultural Exchange Program at Expo 2025 Osaka

The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat
The Saudi flag. Asharq Al-Awsat

The Saudi Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka has launched its cultural exchange program, designed to provide professional and personal development for staff from participating pavilions. This initiative aims to share Saudi Arabia's rich cultural heritage and global influence with new team members.

Director of the Saudi Pavilion Eng. Adel Alfayez said that the program celebrates unity through diversity and fosters collaboration among pavilions, enabling the exchange of stories and the building of connections.

Alfayez welcomed the new team members, highlighting their journey through the Kingdom's diverse heritage, landscapes, and economy. This experience will help them build meaningful relationships with visitors and enrich their careers in preparation for Expo 2030 Riyadh.

The program's inaugural phase includes 13 Saudi staff members distributed across five international pavilions, with 15 visiting international staff members rotating through key roles in the Saudi Pavilion for three months. Additional participants will join in later rounds.

Visiting staff will undergo comprehensive training, covering Saudi culture, occupational health and safety, pavilion operational objectives, and visitor experience management. A job shadowing system will provide direct support from Saudi colleagues, ensuring immersion in the Kingdom's culture and skill acquisition.

The Saudi Pavilion will host over 700 events during Expo 2025 Osaka, including live shows, performing arts, and heritage activities. Visitors can enjoy a rich cultural experience featuring an augmented reality exhibit, as well as musical performances and special events marking national occasions.