The concept of tolerance guided the creation of the sculpture Esertoki III (“place to sit” in Basque). This work by Eduardo Chillida was the basis for the public monument Diálogo-Tolerancia (Dialogue-Tolerance), commissioned by the municipality of Münster (Germany) to commemorate the anniversary of Peace of Westphalia signed in said city in 1648.

In Diálogo-Tolerancia, Chillida initiated a dialogue between two structures in a direct reference to the title of the work. The two pieces in this sculptural ensemble are arranged like street furniture: two benches, one in front of the other, in dialogue. However, the artist did not conceive a place where passers-by could rest, but rather an art work that questions and invites the observer to reflect on basic tenets of understanding and social harmony. In this sense, the piece makes a profound reflection on the historical meaning of the Peace of Westphalia and its present-day consequences. The conciliation resulting from these historical treaties provided the foundation for a European structure that forged civilising principles based upon mutual respect. The sculpture itself alludes to the necessary conditions for dialogue. Chillida created a space for listening, understanding and communication.