Hong Kong International Day of Peace Festival – CHINA
Hong Kong International Day of Peace Festival – CHINA
September 21st-September 24th, 2012
Maria Ying-Matthews of Peace International Foundation organized several days of peace events to mark the 5th anniversary of International Day of Peace celebrations in Hong Kong. The main event, held at Marymount Secondary School on September 21st, featured the Hong Kong St. Andrew’s Pipe Band Pipers; a Minute of Silence at 12 noon; music for harp and soprano; the ringing of a Peace Bell; the introduction of the Peace Pole and a prayer for peace in Hong Kong and peace on Earth; a children’s international flag parade; various speeches; the video message of the Secretary-General; and a keynote address by Mr. Giuseppe De Vincentiis, representative of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in China.
WPPS UN Representative Deborah Moldow gave a keynote address at the interfaith dialogue that was part of a multi-day young conference on September 24th, which featured diverse speakers and a film called, “The Great Mystery.” Deborah also delivered a greeting at the “East Meets West” Peace Concert the following evening, which highlighted the talents on harp and piano of young artists from the area. The star of the evening was Costa Rican jazz pianist Esteban Alvarez.
The Peace Pole that graced all of these occasions will find a permanent home at Maryknoll Secondary School. Maria Ying-Matthews has plans to expand the work of peace in Hong Kong, including offering Peace Poles to additional schools.
