This image was published in The University of Sydney News Vol 32 No 19 International Edition (p. 2).

The Gilgamesh Festival of Love, Peace and Harmony, organised by the Gilgamesh Cultural Centre, sought to, "...bring the people of the world together in Sydney in the Year 2000...allowing ethnic and indigenous communities to promote Australia to the world as one united nation of different backgrounds". This 2.5m statue of Gilgamesh was unveiled and presented to the University by the Assyrian community of Australia on 15 October 2000 as part of the Festival to commemorate the University's 150th anniversary. It was anticipated that 15,000 people would attend and participate in the unveiling ceremony and associated activities, including, "Historical Parade of Chariots. Music, dancing and singing. Procession of 200 people in Ancient Costumes. Food and Drinks. Release of 7,000 balloons". [Ref 1]. The Vice-Chancellor presented the Gilgamesh Cultural Centre's plans to Senate on 6 December 1999 noting that, "...the Centre wishes to use the premises of the University...to promote multiculturalism and friendship through a program of song and dance involved many different ethnic communities in Australia. It also wishes to honour the 150 years of service that this University has given to the people of Australia generally and to the many thousands of students from different cultures who have passed through its programs by presenting a bronze bas-relief of Gilgamesh, a 3rd Century BC Mesopotamian king revered for his wisdom, understanding and greatness, to the University, and by having the Chancellor address those who attend about the role that the University has played in promoting values similar to those that the Centre espouses". [Ref 2].

A thank you letter was sent to the Centre the day after the unveiling ceremony, "Yesterday's ceremony that culminated in the unveiling of the Status of Gilgamesh will long be remembered by me for its culture, its excitement, its colour and its true evidence of your Centre's commitment to the benefits of multiculturalism. It was clear that the serious message of love, peace and harmony that emanates from the heroic story of Gilgamesh was cleverly conveyed by the many different performers as they used modern and ancient means of expression...Certainly my knowledge of the Assyrian culture and of the people who have their origins in the Assyria of old and its more modern territories took a significant leap". [Ref 3].

This item is part of the University Archives' 70 Years, 70 Stories series, created to celebrate our 70th birthday on 3 May 2024. To discover more stories, explore the 70 Years, 70 Stories collection.

Ref 1: Non-University Organisations - Gilgamesh Cultural Centre - Multicultural Festival (Jun 1999 to 06/12/1999), [REF-00002486]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 2: Senate Minutes Vol 10 December 1999, pp 1924-2041 (06/12/1999), p. 1952, [REF-00070708]. University of Sydney Archives.

Ref 3: see Ref 1.