This piece is presented bilingually, in both Chinese and English.

2024年7月13日，是中国著名异议人士、诺贝尔和平奖得主刘晓波逝世七周年的日子。作为一名学者、诗人和政治活动家，刘晓波毕生致力于推动中国的政治改革和民主化进程。他于2008年参与起草并发表了《零八宪章》，呼吁中国政府尊重人权、进行政治体制改革。由于《零八宪章》的影响力，刘晓波于2009年被判刑11年，罪名是“煽动颠覆国家政权”。尽管在监禁期间，他依然坚守信念，始终坚持非暴力抗争的原则。

七年前的7月13日，刘晓波因长期患病、得不到应有的医疗救治而在狱中去世，他的离世引起了全球范围内的广泛关注和谴责。在他的七周年祭日之际，各地人们聚集一起纪念他的伟大贡献和不屈精神。

今年首先值得分享的是，在人道中国、中国人权和Art of Human Rights的共同推动和努力下，第二个刘晓波纪念雕像将在今年九月在爱尔兰的戈尔韦大学竖立。五年以来，人道中国一直在各个著名大学申请竖立刘晓波雕像，虽然遭遇了各种意想不到的阻挠，但刘晓波的第一个雕像五年前已在布拉格的DOX当代艺术中心竖立起来。而这次，即将在大学里的第一个雕像，也将成为纪念刘晓波的一座重要里程碑。

July 13, 2024, marked the seventh anniversary of the death of Liu Xiaobo, a renowned Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. As a scholar, poet, and political activist, Liu Xiaobo devoted his life to promoting political reform and democratization in China. In 2008, he co-authored and published the “Charter 08,” calling on the Chinese government to respect human rights and undertake political reforms. Due to the influence of “Charter 08,” Liu Xiaobo was sentenced to 11 years in prison in 2009 for “inciting subversion of state power.” Despite his imprisonment, he remained steadfast in his beliefs, adhering to principles of nonviolent resistance.

Seven years ago, on July 13, Liu Xiaobo passed away in prison due to prolonged illness and lack of proper medical treatment. His death sparked widespread global attention and condemnation. On this anniversary, people worldwide gathered to honor his significant contributions and indomitable spirit.

This year, we are pleased to share that, thanks to the joint efforts of Humanitarian China, Human Rights in China, and the Art of Human Rights, a second Liu Xiaobo memorial statue will be erected in September at the National University of Ireland, Galway. Over the past five years, Humanitarian China has been applying to various renowned universities to establish Liu Xiaobo statues. Despite numerous unexpected obstacles, the first statue was erected five years ago at the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art in Prague. This upcoming statue at a university will be a significant milestone in commemorating Liu Xiaobo.

据自由亚洲报道，已移居德國的刘晓波遺孀 #劉霞 。在友人陪同下在德國城市波茲坦（Potsdam）的一個湖上撒花紀念亡夫的逝世七周年纪念。

在中国大陆，浙江长长的海塘，钱塘江入海口的纪念，每一处海口都是刘晓波的纪念地，浙江多位刘晓波的好友特地赶到浙江嘉兴钱塘江入海口，用朵朵鲜花纪念刘晓波博士。中国人权执行主任周锋锁在他的推特写到“刘晓波去世七周年之际，中国国内的纪念尤其引人注目，谢谢浙江的朋友们。无论中共怎样试图抹杀刘晓波的影响，他将在民间永远被纪念。”

According to Radio Free Asia, Liu Xiaobo’s widow, Liu Xia, commemorated the seventh anniversary of his death by scattering flowers on a lake in Potsdam, Germany, accompanied by friends.

In mainland China, on the long seawall in Zhejiang at the Qiantang River estuary, every estuary is a memorial to Liu Xiaobo. Several of his friends traveled to the Qiantang River estuary in Jiaxing, Zhejiang, to commemorate him with flowers. HRIC Executive Director Zhou Fengsuo noted on Twitter, “On the seventh anniversary of Liu Xiaobo’s death, the domestic commemoration in China is particularly noteworthy. Thank you to friends in Zhejiang. No matter how the CCP tries to erase Liu Xiaobo’s influence, he will forever be remembered by the people.”

在纽约，中国人权执行主任周锋锁前往新的纪念刘晓波长椅进行悼念。长椅被设立在罗斯福岛West Loop Road上，面向曼哈顿和联合国，由有心人捐助。

人道中国在刘晓波六周年忌日时在纽约中央公园捐献了一个为他命名的长椅，长椅铭文是 “表达自由，人权之基，人性之本，真理之母”。

而这新的长椅是纽约继中央公园之后第二个永久纪念刘晓波的地点，铭文写着：“‘I have no enemies’ Eternal Glory to Liu Xiaobo” （“我没有敌人，荣耀属于刘晓波”），以及“An empty chair holds your dream up, a boundless sea sets your soul free” （“空椅长存你的梦想，大海永留你的灵魂”）和“Why, I think it’s my duty, it is our duty now” （“为什么（去天安门广场抗议）？因为是我的责任，今天还是我们的责任”）。

In New York, Zhou Fengsuo visited a new Liu Xiaobo memorial bench on Roosevelt Island’s West Loop Road, facing Manhattan and the United Nations, donated by supporters. Last year, Humanitarian China donated a bench in Central Park for Liu Xiaobo’s sixth anniversary, inscribed with “Free expression is the base of human rights, the root of human nature, and the mother of truth.” This new bench is New York’s second permanent memorial to Liu Xiaobo, inscribed with: “‘I have no enemies’; Eternal Glory to Liu Xiaobo,” “An empty chair holds your dream up, a boundless sea sets your soul free,” and “‘Why? I think it’s my duty.’ It is our duty now.”

同日，洛杉矶上百名民主人士齐聚在著名的圣莫妮卡(Santa Monica)海边，举行了默哀、献花、诗朗诵和点蜡烛等仪式，纪念刘晓波。美国之音和自由亚洲也对此活动进行了全面报道。活动由中国民主党组织，超过一百人参与，呼喊口号、举着横幅。活动包括诗歌朗诵和各类活动人士的演讲，强调了中国持续的民主和人权斗争。组织者强调了在当地社区提高意识的重要性，以延续刘晓波的遗产。

On the same day, over a hundred democracy advocates gathered at Santa Monica Beach in Los Angeles for a memorial service, including a moment of silence, flower offerings, poetry readings, and candlelight vigils. The event, organized by the Chinese Democratic Party, was reported by media outlets. Participants chanted slogans and held banners, emphasizing the ongoing struggle for democracy and human rights in China. The organizers stressed the importance of raising awareness within the local community to continue Liu Xiaobo’s legacy.

令人欣慰的是，刘晓波的影响并没有因为他的去世而淡出这个世界。他的精神和遗产依然深深影响着全球为人权和民主事业奋斗的人们。他以其坚定的信念和不屈的精神，激励了无数人为自由和人权而奋斗。我们缅怀刘晓波的不朽贡献，铭记他的勇气与执着，并呼吁国际社会继续关注中国的人权状况。让我们共同努力，推动实现刘晓波所追求的自由、公正和民主的理想。正如铭文所言：“空椅长存你的梦想，大海永留你的灵魂。”刘晓波的精神将永远激励着我们前行。

It is reassuring that Liu Xiaobo’s influence has not faded with his passing. His spirit and legacy continue to deeply impact those fighting for human rights and democracy worldwide. His steadfast belief and unwavering spirit have inspired countless individuals to fight for freedom and human rights. We remember Liu Xiaobo’s immortal contributions, honor his courage and perseverance, and call on the international community to continue to pay attention to the human rights situation in China. Let us work together to achieve Liu Xiaobo’s ideals of freedom, justice, and democracy. As the inscription says, “An empty chair holds your dream up, a boundless sea sets your soul free.” Liu Xiaobo’s spirit will forever inspire us to move forward.