International Day of Peace Celebration in Ontario, Canada

by Irene van Kessel

September 21, 2006 was celebrated as the International Day of Peace at the Varley Art Gallery in Unionville, Ontario, Canada. Among those who attended were distinguished artists, educational art directors and gallery docents, as well as several volunteers.

Jeremy Gilley

The event featured Peace One Day, a DVD that documents the incredibly moving six-year journey of the young British filmmaker, Jeremy Gilley, as he travels around the world engaging leaders of many countries, including the Dalai Lama and Kofi Anan, to address the possibility of creating one international day of peace. Remarkably, that day was sanctioned by the United Nations in 2001 as September 21.

The setting for the screening of Gilley's documentary film was particularly poignant as it took place in the main Gallery itself. Surrounded by numerous incredibly beautiful paintings of the Group of Seven, the idea of an International Day of Peace was not that difficult to envision amidst such beauty.

Following the screening came moments of profound silence. All who attended were deeply moved. I recommended that everyone direct his/her thoughts of peace to areas of turmoil in the world.

Then a very inspired discussion followed connecting the idea of an International Day of Peace with the activities of the artistic community, as well as the exchange of young art students on an international scale.

At this point, I introduced the Center for Peace through Culture and Karl van Kessel elaborated on its purpose to promote a psychology of peace. He briefly explained the meaning of the Banner of Peace, the logo of the Center for Peace Through Culture, as created and interpreted by the visionary artist and peacemaker, Nicholas Roerich.

The attendees' enthusiasm generated interest to continue to observe the International Day of Peace and engage the wider community on September 21, 2007. International Day of Peace is designated as a day of international, intercultural cooperation and peace, a day on which each individual can make a difference, can pause, reflect, observe and celebrate to bring peace into her/his life and to the world. Next year the wider community can be among those who choose to make a difference in the creation of peace one day.

World Peace Day is celebrated September 21 annually. A list of screening and events in Canada are available by visiting http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/peaceday/canada/index.htm.