John Lennon Monument in Senigallia: Immagina la pace

Senigallia's John Lennon monument is Immagina la pace, a narrow 2.5 m pyramid by artist Stefania Ricci in the Parco della Pace. The local fan association BeatleSenigallia proposed it, local businesses paid for it, and it was unveiled on 13 July 2019 as a symbol of peace in Lennon's name.

A pyramid covered like a wall

Stefania Ricci, an artist from nearby Jesi, took the form from the "pyramids" of the Russian mathematician Alexander Golod: a tall, narrow shape rather than an Egyptian one. Its sides are a different reference. They are filled with phrases, single words and drawings about peace, in the manner of the Lennon Wall in Prague. A mosaic of mirror pieces at the tip throws light around when the sun hits it.

The title, Immagina la pace ("Imagine peace"), points to Lennon's song Imagine.

A fan club idea, paid for by local firms

The project came from BeatleSenigallia, an association that runs Beatles concerts, talks and events in the town each summer. Beatlesiani d'Italia Associati, the Italian Beatles fan club based in Brescia, backed it, the city council gave its support, and local businesses covered the cost.

The site had its own change of name. The green space was once the Piazza d'Armi, a parade ground, before the council renamed it Parco della Pace.

The July 2019 unveiling

The monument was inaugurated at 11:30 on 13 July 2019, as part of that year's BeatleSenigallia program. BeatleSenigallia president Paolo Molinelli, Ricci, BDIA president Rolando Giambelli and guitarist Andrea Celidoni spoke or played. Mayor Maurizio Mangialardi said the town wanted symbols of peace and welcome, not walls at borders. A benefit concert for ANDOS, the Italian association of women operated for breast cancer, followed the same day at the Foro Annonario.

The festival still comes back to it. On 2 July 2023 BeatleSenigallia held a "We Love You, John" happening at the monument, with Ricci present and live music from The Red Ladies Live, Celidoni and Paolo Fornaroli.

Italy has an older Lennon site too: the Parco John Lennon in Castelnuovo Rangone, near Modena, named in 1985.