Parliament of Worlds Religion 1999 Capetown SA

Author(s): Parliament of the World’s Religions
Publisher: USA Parliament of the Worlds Religions

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1 9 9 9 PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLDS RELIGIONS
"... A message of peace: In order to find peace outside
you've got to find peace inside." . Love and allow yourself to be loved. This is the step to
peace." "... I hope Africa would think more about aliens." "...Dear god. Pray for peace in our country. Damiyn, Aged
6. 082 956 9806" and quite simply. "... O Lord" After the parliament these flags will be distributed through an exchange programme of sorts. We'll return many of the Peace Flags to the groups and schools that participated and if we can we would also like to send you home with one. Please treasure it and pass the message and the spirit of peace on.
The theme for the 1999 Parliament of the World's Religions is 'A New Day Dawning' and if you want to know what that new day is going to look like you need to look to the Next Generation. With all the Peace Flags surrounding you during this Parliament you need never look too far!
ART GALLERY
The Parliament of World Religions gathering from 1st to 8th December will include a large art gallery. The gallery is one component of many interfaith cultural activities and presentations. Art from various cultures and origins will be included in the gallery, which will provide a beautiful focus and expression of the human spirit.
THE NEXT GENERATION Next Generation Gatherings: The Parliament's youth initiative. The Next Generation, is dedicated to nurturing transformative communities through the power, energy, and enthusiasm of today's young leadership. During the 1999 event, the Next Generation's presence will be felt through 5 afternoon gatherings, an evening plenary, a community exchange project and Peace Flags flying throughout Cape Town. The Next Generation will host six afternoon sessions, which will be held on the third floor of the Engineering wing at the Cape Technikon. These gatherings provide a space where young people can engage others about topics that effect young people. Enjoy formal presentations, performances and workshops given by young people from around the world, as well as interaction with others on a more informal level. These gatherings are not exclusive to the Next Generation (people ages 16-25) - all parliament participants are welcome. The five Next Generation afternoon sessions are:
• Spirit of the City • Realization of the New Day • Rediscovering the Continuum • Pushing the Boundaries of Creative Engagement - Honoring District 6
. Nurturing Transformative Communities in the Future Peace Flags The Next Generation welcomes delegates to the Parliament with thousands of bright and heart warming Peace Flags. This project was inspired Tibetan Buddhists who fly their prayer flags prominently so that the wind may carry their messages around the world. It is our sincere hope that our heartfelt messages are circulated and truly heard around the world Since April this year the Next Generation has reached out to all 1 700 public schools in the Western Cape. Private schools Waldorf schools and art schools have joined in too. Flags ha arrived from Durban and Johannesburg and even Zimbabwe. Canada and Guatemalal What makes the response remarkable is that Peace Flags require quite time and material - all of which our participants have gladly volunteered. Some are embroidered, some have been coloured in with wax crayons that have been ironed in, some have been dyed. Some flags are big, some are small. Some are bold, some are timid. In other words the flags reflect the diversity of the participants magnificently, which is all we could have hoped for. Here are some of our favorite messages:
"... Dear God. Let's all have tea. Love Java" "... Don't smoke children. Don't destroy plant" "... Don't abuse children. Please don't kill. Children is lovely
in Africa." "... Love is an important weapon"
Get connected with peace" "... Asalaam wu alay kum" ... Dear God. It's me again, but this time I'm not praying
for myself... "... Believe in monotheism"
An excellent layout has been designed so as to provide the different exhibits individual or group spaces. The viewer will be taken through superb images of the sacred places of the world, as well as images from various religions through contemplative expressions of great beauty, to dynamic paintings by contemporary San people (bushmen) and contemporary collaborative art by artists from the Zulu people. Two series of works with text will be exhibited each forming a "book on the wall" - The one series forms a journey of mystical dream images, the other powerful works presenting thoughts about human dreams and violations. Photographic Installations about the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and other local projects will be included, as well as a selection of contemporary South African art. Sacred Ancestral Tribal objects will be shown to display the mystical aspect of Tribal art. The artists are from all walks of life, many highly esteemed, others little known. The entire gallery provides an opportunity for all to experience the diversity and beauty that is humanity's creation, and which is presented for this occasion as "Spirit in Art Venue: lower floor Good Hope Centre Gallery Reception An open reception for the artists, performers, and exhibitors at the 1999 Parliament of the World's Religions. Sponsored by: The Arts Project and Artspirit, Inc. (Intercultural Expressions of Spirituality Through Art) Place: Good Hope Centre Art Gallery (lower level) Date and Time: Friday, 3 December, 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
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