At the city council meeting on September 18, 1985, Laurits Pedersen presented the case regarding the artwork that the Technical and Environmental Committee and the Cultural Committee had already agreed to receive.
The artwork consisted of six tiles, weighing a total of 400 kilos, which the donor, the national association “Never Again War,” wished to place in a central location in the city—preferably by the bus stop in front of Nørregade 10.
Laurits Pedersen requested suggestions for a placement in a more neutral location. He believed that the political message could lead other organizations to demand their own messages be placed in the streets as well. Several locations were discussed, including the park area, and the tiles were put into storage at the materials yard until a solution was found in the spring of 1986, when Sjællandsgade was to be renovated. The tiles were then laid out in front of Bente’s kiosk.
Five of the tiles feature huge footprints, and the sixth tile carries an old quote:
“In the footsteps of great armies
always follows famine.”
Lao-Tse, 580 BC.
“Never Again War” is a Danish branch, founded in 1926, of a worldwide organization working to abolish war. It was established by English conscientious objectors from World War I. The association’s work after World War II led to the formation of “The Danish Association for International Co-operation” (Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke).
Similar sculptures donated by the association can be found in Vejle, Kolding, and Aalborg.
