A massive stone, known as the Keuka Stone, believed to be sacred for the indigenous community in Venezuela recently returned home; thereby, settling seething international tension. The stone was gone for nearly two decades after a German artist shipped it in Berlin for a public art exhibition symbolising peace.
Reportedly, Bavarian artist Wolfgang Kraker von Schwarzenfeld took the so-called Keuka Stone in 1998 from Venezuela, claiming that he had sought permission from the Venezuelan Government to showcase it in an exhibition, stating that it symbolises love.
During that exhibition in Tiergarten Park in Berlin near the Brandenburg Gate and Holocust Memorial, the stone featured along with five other massive stones. As per the artist, while the Keuka stone symbolised love, the other stones that were collected from around the world symbolised awakening, hope, forgiveness, and peace.
As regarding the significance of the massive stone, the Pemons believed that it represents the story of star-crossed lovers, who were turned to stone by a deity as a punishment for marrying a member of another tribe.
The stone’s removal created tension between Germany and Venezuela, including tribal protestors gathering outside the Germany Embassy.
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro welcomed it home, emphasising that it is a ‘spiritual and cultural treasure’ of the country, and that it had returned at a time when Venezuela is combating the spread of Coronavirus. He also added that the stone will be trucked to the remote corner of southern Venezuela where it originated.
Further, as per the Venezuelan officials, Germany had returned the stone as a sign of goodwill and willingness to respect peoples’ cultural rights.