A homecoming in Duluth Wednesday night, after a trip around the world.

Duluth Sister Cities and the DECC held the grand opening of the Brooks Anderson peace walk exhibit featuring the artwork, “122 conversations” by Anne Labovitz.

The works depict the interpretations of conversations Labovitz conducted with people from all five of Duluth’s sister cities around the world in Växjö, Sweden, Petrozavodsk, Russia, Ohara Isumi-City, Japan, Ranya, Iraqi Kurdistan and Thunder Bay, Canada.

The exhibit itself actually traveled to each of the sister cities before spending the past five years on display at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport.

Anne Labovitz is the artist and creator of ‘122 Conversations’. She says this project has had a profound impact on her and that she hopes it will have a profound impact on anyone who sees it.

“There are really good people in every country. And we need to find those people and to find ways of connecting so that we can build together a rapport and move towards peace in some ways.”

The exhibit is part of the DECC’s initiative to create spaces that invite locals and visitors to learn about Duluth’s impact and culture. The parnership with Duluth Sister Cites is the firest project of its kind for the DECC.

The work captures the essence of cross-cultural dialogue and the universal themes of friendship, empathy, understanding and love.

The grand opening event on Wednesday night also included a display featuring the Brooks Anderson Peace Walk. A large wall map identifies stops in downtown Duluth and along the lake walk that highlight the city’s commitment to peace and unity. The exhibit also provides information about lifelong peace activist, Brooks Anderson, and the role Anderson played in establishing Duluth’s sister cities.

Labovitz says it’s fitting the ‘122 Conversations’ exhibit is finally coming back home. The exhibit is on the skywalk level at the DECC near the harbor side convention area.