PEACE DAY - September 7, 2006
Daley Center Plaza, Chicago, Illinois
Peace Day 2006 was a huge success! Held on a beautiful summer-like day, the featured presentation was the Call to Peace, a heartfelt observance honoring every nation on earth as the entire audience joined in saying aloud, "May peace be in... [each country, named one by one]".
Each nationâs flag was presented on stage while the wish/thought/prayer for peace was voiced for that nation. Stitely Entertainment provided live background music representing the regions of the world to add yet another dimension of harmony.
We were honored to have distinguished members of the Chicago Consular Corps present at Peace Day representing the countries of Austria, China, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, France, Grenada, Haiti, Indonesia, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Pakistan, the Philippines and Portugal. "This is so important to the world that I wanted to be there myself, and to carry my countryâs flag personally", said Lesly Conde, Haitiâs Consul General in Chicago. Ernawati, Vice Consul of Indonesia in Chicago summed it up by saying, "It was a great event that put together all countries in the world for peace!"
Flag bearers also included young students from Namaste Charter School and Northside Catholic Academy, as well as students from Columbia College, residents of Misericordia Heart of Mercy, the Executive Director and volunteers from The Peace Museum, representatives of cultural organizations such as the Cambodian Association of Illinois, and members and friends of The Peace School. Following the event, Northsideâs 8th grade teacher Cathy Chester commented, "Thank you for a moving, peace-filled day. I am so glad that we were able to participate in such a thought-filled way to start our school year."
Governor Blagojevichâs proclamation for Peace Days in Illinois was read by Susan Shin, Governorâs Director of Asian Affairs. Mayor Daleyâs proclamation was read by the Mayorâs Deputy Chief of Staff, Gene Lee. Master of Ceremonies Barry Weisberg of the Violence Prevention Peace Promotion Strategy enlivened the event with stories focusing on the oneness of all humanity.
Three marvelous performing groups celebrating cultural diversity brought cheers from the crowd. The magnificent Other 3 Tenors offered a moving rendition of O Sole Mio sung both in Italian and Korean. With graceful and lively movements, colorful costumes and live African drums, Najwa Dance Corps kept the audience enthralled. And the audience rose from their chairs to join Miguel Gutierrez and Ehacatl in facing east, west, north, south, sky and earth as a sacred blessing to open and close their stirring dances representing indigenous cultures of the Americas.
Ron Salazar, Director of Daley Center Programming for the City of Chicago, concluded with, "The Peace Day Event was truly wonderful and timely. Thank you for bringing such an inspiring program to Daley Center."