International Day of Peace to be Celebrated in Olympia – September 20-22

Saturday, September 21st, Olympians and peacemakers around the world celebrate the 33rd International Day of Peace! Locally, a full weekend of free activities for adults and kids begins Friday afternoon, September 20th and continues through Sunday, September 22nd at Heritage Park, 5th and Water Streets, in downtown Olympia. Schedule of events below.
Singing, dancing, creation of peace banners in multiple languages, memorial displays reflecting the shared cost of war, tribal welcomes and blessings, a singing bowl concert, evening luminaries, a meditative peace walk around Capitol Lake, kids kite-making and art for peace are only some of the opportunities! The Global Day of Listening, founded by the Afghan Peace Volunteers and Olympia members of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, will connect each hour with those across the world who are marking the International Day of Peace with a noon minute of silent reflection in their own time zones, followed by conversations about how to raise the voices of peace!

The International Day of Peace was established by the United Nations as a time to encourage conversations about peace and the current obstacles to it, and to foster commitment for creating a peaceful world.

Olympia’s free, public event is coordinated by Veterans for Peace 109 Rachel Corrie Chapter, Traditions Fair Trade and Cafe, Rachel Corrie Foundation for Peace and Justice, Olympia Movement for Justice and Peace, Olympia Fellowship of Reconciliation, Interfaith Works, and Global Days of Listening National Chapter of FOR.

Come and be present to demonstrate the ever-growing need and desire for communication and understanding that rises above violence. Join us in celebrating the universally shared hope for a peaceful future.

For information, Contact:
Jennifer Martinez or Mairin McKnight Slottee
(360) 754-3998
[email protected]

Schedule of Events

Friday:

Global Day of Listeningbegins at 5 PM- Twenty-four hours of listening and sharing through Skype as the International Day of Peace is observed round the world!

Livestream: globaldaysoflistening.org/pages/livestream

Saturday:

All day visit and interact with the Arlington NW Memorial, Iraq Memorial to Life, and the Global Day of Listening.

11:30- Olympia Peace Choir begins opening ceremony which includes:

• Robert Satiacum invokation
• Zahid Chaudhry as VFP president welcome
• Arthur Vaeni with the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
• Minute of silence and reflection at noon
• Peace signs placement on continents

Noon- 4 pm-  children’s activities begin:

• Earthballs
• Hands Across the World Banner Making
• Art Activities – origami doves, peace symbol decorating
• Make our own olive tree!
• And more!

1 pm- Group photos:

• Puget Sound Community Peacemakers on the International Day of Peace – Be a part of this group photo celebrating the peaceful spirit of our community and our embrace of the world! Bring your smiles & social justice organization banners!
• “We Love Syria!” – a follow-up for all participants who wish to send a peace message from our community to the people of Syria

2 pm- Meditative Buddhist Peace Walk:

• A meditative peace walk around Capitol Lake with a Singing Bowl Concert by Open Heart Open Mind Singing Bowls.
• Music will continue throughout the rest of the afternoon

8 pm- Luminaries placed in ANW & the IMtL and will remain in place all night

• Sing along to We are the World

Sunday:

All day visit and interact with the Arlington NW Memorial, Iraq Memorial to Life, and the Global Day of Listening.

Noon- Children’s activity area opens till 4pm

• Water Blessing Ceremony followed by Dances of Universal Peace for an hour
• Kite making and flying until 4
• Music all afternoon – including the Lincoln Parent Band and Holly Gwinn Graham

4 pm- Closing ceremony to include Taps, and taking up of memorials.