Renee van Bavel

RIBBONS

RIBBONS

RIBBONS is an artwork made from memorial ribbons that have been laid at commemorative events, memorial sites, and ceremonies around the world – in remembrance of war, dictatorship, oppression, and violence against humanity.

Artist Renee van Bavel sews all these ribbons together during a live performance, creating a shared, unifying, and colourful work of art – RIBBONS – as a symbol of peace and human connection.

RIBBONS invites us to reflect on the past and the time we live in … and on our place in this world.

RIBBONS at the Humboldt Forum in Berlin

RIBBONS at the CPPD Festival in Lisbon

At the CPPD festival “After the Carnations – Cycles of Decolonisation and Democratic Futures” (24–25 April 2026) at the Biblioteca de Alcântara – José Dias Coelho in Lisbon, Renee van Bavel presented the live art performance of RIBBONS in the library garden.

For more information about the CPPD Festival: LINK


With sincere gratitude to all the memorial services, foundations, and institutions that have contributed their ribbons and supported this artproject RIBBONS

  • Belower Wald Memorial
    Gedenkstätte Todesmarsch im Belower Wald
  • Sachsenhausen Memorial and Museum
    Gedenkstätte und Museum Sachsenhausen
  • Bergen‑Belsen Memorial
    Gedenkstätte Bergen‑Belsen
  • National Monument Kamp Vught
    Nationaal Monument Kamp Vught
  • Berlin Wall Memorial
    Gedenkstätte Berliner Mauer
  • Westerbork Memorial
    Herinneringscentrum Kamp Westerbork
  • The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe – Berlin
    Denkmal für die ermordeten Juden Europas
  • The Memorial to the Homosexuals Persecuted under National Socialism – Berlin
    Denkmal für die unter dem Nationalsozialismus verfolgten Homosexuellen
  • The Memorial to the Sinti and Roma of Europe Murdered under National Socialism – Berlin
    Denkmal für die Sinti und Roma Europas, ermordet unter dem Nationalsozialismus
  • The Memorial and Information Point for the Victims of the Nazi ‘Euthanasia’ Murders – Berlin Gedenk‑ und Informationspunkt für die Opfer der NS‑“Euthanasie”‑Morde
  • The Netherlands Auschwitz Committee
    Nederlands Auschwitz Comité
  • The February Strike Memorial – Amsterdam
    Februaristaking Amsterdam
  • Netherlands War Graves Foundation / National War Cemetery – Loenen
    Nederlandse Oorlogsgravenstichting Loenen
  • The National Committee for 4 & 5 May – The Netherlands
    Nationaal Comité 4 en 5 mei – Nederland
  • National Committee 15 August 1945 – Commemorating the End of World War II in the Dutch East Indies
    Nationaal Comité 15 augustus 1945 – Herdenking het einde van de Tweede Wereldoorlog in Nederlands‑Indië
  • Canadian Cemetery