The event centers on a progressive Ireland honoring Oscar Wilde, with Simon Callow highlighting Wilde as a landmark figure in LGBT history and noting his imprisonment for homosexuality and ongoing impact on gay rights.

The piece revisits Wilde’s final years in Paris, his poverty and exile, and how his defiant integrity and individuality continue to inspire new generations.

A bronze bust of Wilde, crafted by Czech artist Marie Šeborová and funded by Bill Shipsey of Art for Human Rights, was unveiled in a small ceremony with guests including Simon Callow.

Attendees’ quotes emphasize Wilde’s dual identity as aesthete and intellect, and his role at the crossroads of Irish, English, Protestant, Catholic, homosexual, and family dynamics.

The unveiling at the Irish embassy in Paris coincides with the 125th anniversary of Wilde’s death, marking Ireland’s portrayal as a progressive nation.

Wilde’s grandson Merlin Holland argues that his legacy transcends sexuality, representing the resilience and universal human spirit rather than reducing him to a gay icon.

The ceremony sits within a broader European discussion on LGBTQ+ rights and social progress amid rising hate crimes and polarized political rhetoric.