“100 Boats – 100 Million People” Installation Brings Refugee Solidarity to European Parliament
Photo Credit: Flora Ireland
Brussels, The Gulf Observer: An extraordinary display of over 100 giant origami boats was unveiled outside the European Parliament on Monday, offering a powerful symbol of solidarity with refugees across the globe.
The art installation, titled “100 Boats – 100 Million People”, is the result of a large-scale social project initiated by the German voluntary welfare association AWO Saxony-Anhalt. Created in collaboration with regional artists, including conceptual artist Frank Bölter, the project involved more than 600 participants ranging in age from two to 79.
Working at 14 “shipyards” across the Saxony-Anhalt region in Germany, teams folded enormous paper boats—each over five metres long—to represent one million people forced to flee their homelands. Altogether, the 110 boats collectively stand for 100 million displaced individuals worldwide.
Each boat is uniquely decorated with vibrant drawings, messages, and artistic expressions conveying support for refugees and advocating for humane asylum policies. The installations have been distributed to schools, clubs, and institutions across Europe, with the boats in Brussels creating a striking visual in front of the European Parliament.
The official presentation took place at 09:30 on Monday, followed by a programme of speeches and public discussions beginning at noon. Organisations including AWO International, Sea Watch, and SOS Humanity addressed humanitarian concerns and called for systemic reform of the European asylum process.
Under the campaign tag #LeaveNoOneBehind, the initiative promotes a message of unity, urging a socially inclusive Europe and an end to asylum agreements that violate human rights.
The day’s events concluded at 15:30 with artistic performances and open conversations. Further discussions are scheduled for Tuesday evening under the theme “European refugee policy – we are all in the same boat.” EU politicians, experts, and organisers will continue to advocate for a solidarity-based refugee policy, followed by the public opening of an exhibition on the project.
