Remember, the Kennedy Center isn’t just a venue, it’s a memorial to a beloved president who was slain very publicly and it shocked the world. In memory of John F Kennedy, leaders from around the world donated during the construction to pay tribute. * Italy — donated essentially all of the marble used for the Kennedy Center, about 3,500–3,700 tons of Carrara marble, for both exterior and interior surfaces. This was the largest foreign gift, valued at more than $1 million at the time. About 9 million today. * Austria — donated the enormous crystal chandelier for the Opera House. * Belgium — donated the large mirrors in the Grand Foyer. * Canada — donated the Eisenhower Theater curtain. * Denmark — donated artwork and furnishings, including furnishings for the Grand Foyer/North Lounge areas. * Finland — donated Chinaware for the Gallery and Promenade restaurants. * France — donated two Matisse tapestries and two sculptures by Henri Laurens. * West Germany — donated two enormous bronze relief sculptures by German artist Jürgen Weber. * Great Britain — donated “Figure,” an abstract sculpture by Dame Barbara Hepworth. * Ireland — donated a Waterford crystal chandelier for an Opera House lounge. * Israel — donated furnishings and artwork for the Concert Hall’s Israeli Lounge. * Japan — donated the spectacular red-and-gold silk stage curtain for the Opera House. * Norway — donated the large crystal chandeliers for the Concert Hall. * Sweden — donated the Orrefors crystal chandeliers in the Grand Foyer.