“Imagine” – that’s what this circle is all about. It’s the Imagine Circle in Cologne, a tribute to John Lennon’s message of peace. Look at it, right here, in the heart of the city, a small island of tranquility surrounded by bustling streets. The circle looks unassuming, just a mosaic of stones, but it’s got a lot of history.
It was created in 2012, modelled after a similar mosaic in New York’s Central Park. The plaque in the center is made from Carrara marble, an exquisite Italian stone, and the inscription, “Imagine”, is surrounded by simple basalt stones. You see, they didn’t spend a lot of money on this project. The stones were actually leftovers from other projects, just lying around. This is a real example of recycling, a powerful message in itself, showing that even in a big city like Cologne, it’s possible to create something beautiful without a huge budget.
There are two memorial plaques next to the circle, one dedicated to John Lennon and one bearing a quote from the Imagine song. Here you can sit down, take a moment, and reflect on John Lennon’s message. Do you think we can live in peace and harmony? It’s a pretty big question, maybe even “impossible” at times, but the Imagine Circle reminds us that imagining a better future is the first step towards making it happen.