The Fondazione Mediterraneo – an international non-profit Organisation of Social Utility (Onlus) created in 1994 by Michele Capasso with specialists and internationally recognised scholars on the Euro-Mediterranean area, politicians of international organisations and diplomats involved in peace-building – realised important initiatives in favour of peace and shared development: among these, the creation in Naples of the “Maison de la Paix – Casa Universale delle Culture”. Many Countries and international organisations such as the United Nations, the Parliamentary Assembly of the  Mediterranean, the League of Arab States, the International Organisation for Migrations, the “Anna Lindh” Euro-Mediterranean Foundation joined this project.

The “Totem for Peace”, artwork by the Italian sculptor Mario Molinari, is the symbol of the “Maison de la Paix – Casa Universale delle Culture” and it represents Peace in the World and, especially, in the Greater Mediterranean: the aim of the Fondazione Mediterraneo is to spread this universal symbol to constitute the network of the “Cities for Peace in the World”.

The sculptor Mario Molinari was a famous artist, sensitive to peace and dialogue among cultures, as it is witnessed in his works and life.

The cultural project "Totem for Peace" is carried out around the world by Michele Capasso: since 1990 he voted his life to the creation of a dialogue as an instrument for the resolution of conflicts, combining his internationally experience in social and intercultural fields with his professional carreer as architect and engineer.

The sail represents the travel, the sea. Our Sea which has been the cradle of civilisation, not only theatre of clashes and battles among peoples but also theatre of exchanges of goods and knowledge. A sea, celebrated in the myth, where Ulysses got lost, wandering in his desperate research of a way back. The sail tainted in red, at dawn and sunset, at leaving and return, following the constant rhythm of the Universe.

(M. MOLINARI)