Monument to Multiculturalism

What does it mean to embrace diversity? This question hangs in the air here at the Monument to Multiculturalism, right in front of Union Station. The Monument to Multiculturalism, sometimes called the “Symbol of Multiculturalism,” isn’t just a statue. It’s a statement. Unveiled on Canada Day in 1985 by then-mayor Arthur Eggleton, it stands as a testament to Toronto’s unique cultural mosaic. Its location is significant. Union Station is Toronto’s central hub, the gateway for countless newcomers arriving by rail. The monument, cast in bronze in a postmodern style, greets them, a symbol of the city’s welcoming embrace. Created by Italian artist Francesco Perilli, it depicts a man standing at the center of a globe. He connects two meridians, while doves, symbols of peace, hold aloft the others. These doves represent cultural vitality, the collective effort to build a world based on dialogue and mutual respect. Perilli himself eloquently described multiculturalism as “a means of developing interreligious dialogue and peaceful collaboration among men of different ancestries and convictions”. He saw it as a force against hatred, terrorism, and any form of supremacy. It’s interesting to note that this monument wasn’t originally intended to be permanent. City officials planned to keep it at Union Station for only a year. Yet, over 30 years later, it remains, a powerful symbol of Toronto’s ongoing commitment to diversity. And it’s not alone. Replicas of the Monument to Multiculturalism stand in cities around the world – a testament to the global resonance of this message of unity and understanding. The monument reminds us that Toronto is more than just a city. It’s a meeting place, a vibrant tapestry woven from the threads of countless cultures. The Monument to Multiculturalism reminds us that our differences, rather than dividing us, enrich the fabric of our society.