September 21st – International Day of Peace with Guila Clara Kessous, UNESCO Peace Ambassador
Ada Iliopoulou brought to Greece the United Nations and UNESCO Paris Peace Ambassador to release the Dove of Peace in honor of the International Day of Peace.
The white Dove of Peace flew into the sky above Paleo Faliro, at Flisvos, through the hands and vision of Guila Clara Kessous, Peace Ambassador, Unesco Artist for Peace and Vice President of the Union Nations Federation.
The Peace Ambassador visited Greece at the initiative and invitation of Ms. Ada Iliopoulou, President of the cultural movement Le Soleil Foundation and award-winning journalist. The purpose of her visit was to release the Dove of Peace in Flisvos, symbolically linking the Trocadero of Greece with the Trocadero of Paris, which in 1985 was officially renamed by the United Nations to Parvis des Droits de l’Homme (Square of Human Rights), honoring defenders of human rights.
During her stay in Athens, the Ambassador visited Flisvos, where she performed a deeply symbolic act: the release of a white dove—sending a message of peace, unity, and hope at a time of global challenges. This gesture highlighted Greece’s timeless role as a pillar of values and culture.
Ms. Ada Iliopoulou stated exclusively:
“I have had the honor of working with the Peace Ambassador in Paris and Geneva for the past two years. She has released the Dove of Peace in many symbolic places, such as on the red carpet of the Cannes Film Festival, to emphasize her stance against violence against women and, of course, in favor of global peace. Since I was born and raised in Paleo Faliro, the idea of connecting the Trocadero of Paris, as a pillar of human rights, with the Trocadero of Greece was very moving for me. I felt that we honored the area and its citizens. We had an excellent collaboration with Mayor Mr. Giannis Fostiropoulos and his team.”
Ms. Kessous arrived in Athens with her entourage, supported by EasyJet, and stayed at the Coral Hotel, where she also held several meetings.
The Mayor of Paleo Faliro, Giannis Fostiropoulos, honored the Peace Ambassador for her globally recognized volunteer work with a commemorative plaque at the Town Hall and proclaimed her an Honorary Citizen of Paleo Faliro. The ceremony was attended by Ms. Ada Iliopoulou, Deputy Mayor of Health and Welfare Ioannis Arkoumanis, and Marina Zaga, President of the Municipal Committee on Gender Equality, who shared their expertise in social inclusion and support of vulnerable groups.
During her stay in Athens, the Peace Ambassador also met with the French Ambassador in Athens, Laurence Auer, the Mayor of Athens, Haris Doukas, the Deputy Mayor of Social Solidarity and Equality, Maria Stratigaki, the President of the Hellenic Olympic Committee, Isidoros Kouvelos, as well as the Artistic Director of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Katerina Gregou. She also held meetings with several artists, including Kostis Georgiou, with whom she is preparing a major peace project based on his work Peace, artist Erietta Vordonis, and the renowned composer Giorgos Voukanos, who was awarded at the 2025 Intercontinental Music Awards in the category Classical Pangaia for his work For You Became the Sun, performed against the historic backdrop of the Ancient Theater of Elis.
Interview with UNESCO Peace Ambassador Guila Clara Kessous
1. Can a single letter change War into Peace? What do you mean by this?
In fact, it is the letter “A” that we take from the word WAR and place into the word PEACE. For me, this letter A is deeply symbolic because it represents aspiration. To wage war, one must will it, choose it, and pursue it. Similarly, to create peace, one must aspire to it. This A of aspiration is an A of choice—it must lift us, elevate us. Just as “Alpha,” the first letter of the Greek alphabet, is the beginning of everything, this A is a conscious decision to rise above desires for revenge and hatred, to ascend toward the peace we all seek. Peace is not passive—it is a deliberate, aspirational act that begins within each of us.
2. As a Peace Ambassador, do you feel you are walking on a tightrope during this time of war?
Yes, in a way, this period of conflict feels like walking on a tightrope. The rope is a metaphor for balance, courage, and focus—the tension between despair and hope. As a Peace Ambassador, I navigate uncertainty, fear, and obstacles, always striving to maintain equilibrium while focusing on dialogue, empathy, and creative solutions. This is precisely what inspired my project Woman on the Rope. The climb symbolizes the struggle, resilience, and courage required not only by women in their pursuit of equality but also by all of us striving for peace in a world torn by conflict.
3. You work with art therapy to bring peace to women and children whose lives have been destroyed by war, abuse, or extreme events. Tell us about your actions.
I use art therapy and drama therapy as tools for healing. Women and children who have suffered abuse, trauma, or war find a safe space to express emotions that words cannot contain. Through drawing, painting, and theatrical techniques, they reclaim their stories, rebuild their identities, and transform pain into empowerment.
4. We saw you release the Dove of Peace on the Cannes red carpet and in Greece at the Trocadero. Why did you choose these locations?
The choice of location is never accidental—it is symbolic. Cannes, with its global visibility, offers a platform to amplify hope and inspire audiences worldwide. Paleo Faliro in Greece carries multiple layers of symbolism: a historic port linked to the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur, reminding us of courage and humanity’s quest for justice; a connection to the Olympic Games, representing unity and the highest ideals of mankind; and resonance with the Trocadero in Paris, dedicated to human rights, freedom, and dignity. Releasing the dove in these locations was a poetic gesture, a message that peace transcends borders, history, and cultures.
5. Who has inspired your actions the most, and what quote continues to inspire you?
I draw inspiration from many people, but two women have especially shaped my vision: Leymah Gbowee and Simone Veil. Gbowee, who united women across religions and ethnicities to end the civil war in Liberia, reminds me that courage and collective action can transform societies. A quote of hers I hold dear is: “We are tired of being victims; we are ready to become architects of peace.” Simone Veil, as Minister of Justice and a tireless advocate for human rights, represents resilience and moral courage. Her words echo the same spirit: “Think of humanity before yourself, and you will have taken the first step toward justice and peace.”
As for Greece, I am inspired daily by the President of the Le Soleil Foundation, Ada Iliopoulou. Her spirit is bright and pure, her ideas touch hearts, and she is always one step ahead of society. I am proud to know her and grateful to collaborate with her.
6. How does the rope symbolize both peace and war?
The rope is a metaphor for the fragile balance of life and society. In the project Woman on the Rope, each knot represents struggles, milestones, and the climb toward equality and freedom. Just as a person must find balance on the rope, societies must balance between conflict and reconciliation. The rope embodies the tension, courage, and focus required to face challenges and move toward peace. It reminds us that peace is never static—it requires continuous effort, awareness, and solidarity, while war reminds us of the fragility of that balance and the vigilance needed to preserve it.
