丹麥雕塑家高志活

香港大學上月要求支聯會移走位於港大校園內的「國殤之柱」，但國殤之柱創作人、丹麥雕塑家高志活隨後指出他才是國殤之柱的擁有者，早前要求港大就事召開聆訊。事隔一個月，高志活今日（12 日）再發公開信表明，港大至今仍未有回覆他的查詢，他要求港大承諾將全力協助他將國殤之柱移回丹麥，他本人希望來港參與移走國殤之柱，要求港府保證，他和團隊不會因為來港處理國殤之柱而被檢控。

《立場》已就此向港大查詢，並就高志活入境及要求不被檢控的要求向特首辦、保安局和律政司查詢，尚待回覆。

高志活指，港大一直未有回覆他之前的公開信，但了解到港大曾向《HKFP》表示以「合法及負責任的態度」處理事件，他對此感到高興。

高志活形容，拆卸國殤之柱的工序複雜，他和團隊必須親身來港處理，並與本地相關專業公司一同合作，才可避免對國殤之柱造成損壞，故希望港大可全力協助，例如提供技術支援、協助封路、發出許可證等等。

2021 年 10 月 13 日，港大要求支聯會移走「國殤之柱」的限期。

高志活：曾兩次被禁止入境

高志活亦提及，自己曾兩次被禁止入境，希望港府容許他今次順利入境香港。他表示，相信《國安法》已為當局提供了一定法律基礎，可拘捕任何批評中國的外國人，而在他移送紀念天安門事件的國殤之柱期間，很可能會引起各種活動和媒體報導，或會令其行動被視為「批評中國」，故他要求港府保證，自己及團隊不會因來港處理國殤之柱而被檢控。

高志活在公開信最後指，相信保存任何國家的歷史都很重要，故非常希望已屹立港大 24 年的國殤之柱，可以繼續留在港大校園。對於現在國殤之柱已不再受歡迎，他感到非常遺憾。

高志活亦承諾，當港大對以上要求給予正面回覆後，他便會立即著手計劃詳細的運送程序，否則將難以移走雕塑。

 

Open letter to The University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong authorities

from Jens Galschiøt, the artist behind the Monument of the Tiananmen Square Massacre 1989

My legal representative in Hong Kong has since October 12, 2021, attempted to contact The University of Hong Kong around the removal of the Monument of the Tiananmen Square Massacre 1989. We have also sent a letter to the university's legal representative Mayer Brown and have tried to get clarification and collaboration around the removal.

The Pillar of Shame, as the monument is also called, has for 24 years been exhibited at The University of Hong Kong.

We have not at the time of writing received a reply to our inquiries. I am therefore sending this open letter through the press to reach an agreement on how we can resolve the situation around the monument, which I am the rightful owner of.

I can understand from statements in the press from The University of Hong Kong, that: “a Hong Kong University spokesperson did not directly respond but told Hong Kong Free Press that they are still seeking legal advice and working with related parties to handle the matter in a legal and reasonable manner.”

I am very happy to hear this, as I am also interested in resolving the situation and getting started on moving the sculpture.

However, there are issues we must clarify and agree on first:

1. Full cooperation: The University of Hong Kong must enter into a full cooperation with myself to have the sculpture removed, otherwise it will not be possible. I need the university to assist with technical assistance, roadblocks, permits and other advisory support.

2. My presence in Hong Kong is necessary: The sculpture is very difficult to move, and it will require considerable expertise to move it from the area at the university without causing significant and irreparable damage to the costly sculpture. The move will therefore require me to personally come to Hong Kong with my team of staff who, in collaboration with local Hong Kong companies and helpers in Hong Kong, can undertake the work. The sculpture can then be transported out of Hong Kong to Denmark.

3.Immunity from prosecution: I can understand from the press that the introduction of the new security legislation in Hong Kong means that there is a legal basis for arresting foreign nationals who engage in activities that criticize China. A removal of the Monument of The Tiananmen Square Massacre in 1989 will lead to activities and media coverage that could be perceived as criticism of China. Therefore, I will have to get a guarantee that my employees and I will not be prosecuted in relation to the disassemblement and moving of the monument. 

I propose that such an agreement is made between the responsible authorities in Hong Kong and in Denmark. I can state that I have twice been refused entry into Hong Kong by the local authorities.

The Hong Kong authorities must also guarantee that the local people and companies that I will need to work with in Hong Kong will not be prosecuted because they have helped a foreign artist remove and dismantle the monument.

It will be difficult to move forward with the planning and procedure before we get the above issues clarified. As soon as I have received a positive message about the cooperation from The University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong authorities, I will start planning the specific procedure for moving the Monument of the Tiananmen Square Massacre 1989. 

I have sent this letter to my legal representative in Hong Kong and asked the representative to send the letter to the Hong Kong authorities and The University of Hong Kong's management and responsible authorities.

I believe, it is important to preserve the history of any country, and I am therefore sorry that my monument, which is a memorial to the events at The Tiananmen Square 1989 in China, is no longer welcome. Of course, I would very much have preferred for the monument to stay at The University of Hong Kong, where it has been for 24 years.

However, in full collaboration with both the university and the Hong Kong authorities, I will remove the sculpture and send it to Denmark.

With the hope of a good and constructive cooperation,

Jens Galschiøt