In front of the church of St. George on Pile a plaque was revealed today by the Mayor of Dubrovnik Andro Vlahušić and the City Council president Olga Muratti for the Honorary Citizen of Dubrovnik Dr. Kathleen V. Wilkes.
“Above all she was humane, an intellectual, and of course a great friend of Dubrovnik” commented Vlahušić adding that Kathleen Wilkes used every opportunity to help Dubrovnik and its citizens. “Through Kathleen’s efforts and the efforts of the defenders of the city, the people who died during the war and all friends of Dubrovnik, this city got the most precious thing a society can have – freedom” said Vlahušić.
“This plaque, as well as recognition given by the City Council, is only a small part of the thanks that Dubrovnik can give” concluded the mayor.
The idea of a memorial stone was initiated by a group of citizens led by Berta Dragičević and Pero Poljanić.
“Each word is superfluous, except those of the thanks to this brave woman” added Muratti.
Kathleen Wilkes was named an honorary citizen of Dubrovnik in 1993, due to her selflessness in the Homeland War when she refused to leave the besieged city of Dubrovnik and, as a prominent philosopher and an internationally recognized expert, raised awareness to the world about the horrors of aggression on Dubrovnik. She died in Oxford in 2003 at the age of 58 and according to her wishes her ashes were scattered in the sea near Dubrovnik.