1945–2025: From the Metal of War to the Metal of Peace

Advancing the Industry of Peace in the World Heritage Sites: Heritage for Building Peace

On 26 November 2025, in Florence, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Comi S.p.A., we hosted in Florence the international ceremony “1945–2025: From the Metal of War to the Metal of Peace”, an event that marked both a milestone and a new beginning. At its heart was the unveiling of Stupore, a bronze artwork created as a tangible symbol of the Life Beyond Tourism® philosophy.

Stupore: A Symbol of Transformation

“Stupore”, as explained by the Emeritus President of the Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco-Life Beyond Tourism and President of Comi S.p.A., Paolo Del Bianco, in his speech (available here in Italian and English), embodies a powerful message: materials once destined for conflict have been reshaped into a symbol of territories’ awarness in building the Culture of Dialogue for Peace as Unesco’s goal. The artwork is not only an artistic creation but also a manifesto in bronze, representing the five pillars of Life Beyond Tourism®:

  • the tools for the Culture of Dialogue 

  • the spread of good practices 

  • the power of encounter 

  • the sharing of knowledge 

  • the reawakening of wonder

Through this sculpture, heritage itself becomes an active instrument of peacebuilding, moving beyond passive consumption to foster real human connection.

A Path Forward: The Third Way

At the heart of “Stupore” lies the Third Way — not merely the preservation or passive enjoyment of heritage, but its transformation into a space for real encounter.
The first two ways are already well established in international policy:

  • from community to heritage, as articulated in the 1972 and 2003 UNESCO Conventions;

  • from heritage to community, as expressed in the 2005 Faro Convention.

The Third Way, which Life Beyond Tourism® proposes, emerges from the union of these two directions. It guides all actors — institutions, communities, businesses, and travellers — toward a culture of dialogue for interculturalism, positioning heritage as a catalyst for meaningful relationships in line with UNESCO mission.

In this vision, heritage sites become living laboratories of intercultural dialogue, places where diverse communities meet, share, and build trust. Through the establishment of the International Officina of Good Practices, Life Beyond Tourism® fosters concrete initiatives for peace, using heritage as a bridge between cultures.

A Ceremony with Global Meaning

The event gathered voices from around the world to reaffirm that culture, heritage, and responsible travel are tools for peace. Structured as a symbolic journey across five continents, the ceremony combined artistic performance, testimony, and institutional voices, culminating in the unveiling of Stupore.

Experts from ICOMOS, members of cultural institutions, representatives of communities, and global networks took part in the event, joining from 48 countries across five continents. Their presence not only honored the unveiling of the artwork, but also reaffirmed the long-standing bonds of friendship and esteem that unite them with the Fondazione. 

This shared commitment embraced as well the endorsement of the renewed international Appeal “Heritage for Building Peace 2025” launched by the Fondazione Romualdo Del Bianco – Life Beyond Tourism with the support of COMI S.p.A. Jointly shaped with ICOMOS ICTC (International Cultural Tourism Committee), whose contribution strengthened its vision of heritage as a bridge for dialogue and peace, the Appeal was later submitted to UNESCO MONDIACULT, approved, and officially included in the UNESCO Digital Library, in its extended version of July 2025.

The ceremony was followed, on the next day, by the pilot launch of the Officina of Good Practices for a Culture of Dialogue during The World in Florence 2025 – Heritage: Peace & Move.

A Call for Peace

In a world fractured by conflict and uncertainty, Stupore invites us to pause, reflect, and take a stand. Born of the conviction that tourism lives on peace and must therefore contribute to peace, this event has been both a celebration and a call to action.

It was a message from Florence — World Heritage Site and city of dialogue — to the international community:
heritage is not just what we protect, but what we use to build bridges, nurture hope, and secure a sustainable and peaceful future.

 

Discover the International Voices Shaping the Culture of Dialogue: 

Explore the full photo gallery — click here!

Download Stupore, the volume that tells the story and the values that inspired the Founder of COMI and shaped the Life Beyond Tourism vision.
Access the Press Review: A curated selection of articles and media coverage of the event.
WATCH THE EVENT ON YOUTUBE
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