At noon tomorrow, Zaha Hadid, an Iraqi-born British architect, will be named UNESCO Artist for Peace in a ceremony at the Organization's headquarters.
The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, will designate the Pritzker Prize laureate in recognition of her efforts to raise public awareness of intercultural dialogue, to promote excellence in design and creativity, and her dedication to the ideals and aims of the Organization.
UNESCO Artists for Peace are renowned personalities who use their influence, charisma and prestige to promote UNESCO’s message: to create the conditions for dialogue among civilizations, cultures and peoples, based upon respect for commonly shared values.
Born in Baghdad in 1950, Hadid graduated in mathematics from the American University of Beirut before enrolling at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London. Her buildings in Europe, Asia and America have been the center of debate and are often considered divisive. She has also designed clothes, furniture and a three-wheeled ZCar.
Other Artists for Peace include author Frankétienne (Haiti), musician Manu Dibango (Cameroon), fashion designer Bibi Russell (Bangladesh), musician Gilberto Gil (Brazil), actress and singer Maria de Medeiros (Portugal) and writer Scott Momaday (United States).
