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Festive Night of Friendship and Peace

Cheonan, Korea, July 6, 2007

  

Cheonan, Korea - On July 6, 2007, the Interreligious Peace and Sports Festival (IPSF) presented a concert in the recently completed cultural center at Sun Moon University. The International Night of Friendship and Peace featured vocalists Seiko Lee and Kiah Victora, the Meong Gyung Chamber Orchestra of Seoul conducted by David Eaton, and dance ensembles from Taiwan, Thailand, and Sri Lanka.

Four hundred people attended the program, including distinguished guests from the Cheonan area. Dr. Chul Hee Han, who served as executive producer, was thrilled with the result saying, "We built our arts center for exactly this purpose--music and art for peace!" IPSF director John Gerhing commented, "It was a taste of the Kingdom of Heaven."

Broadway stage star, Kiah Victoria, representing the youth aspect of the festival, sang "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?" from the hit Broadway musical "The Lion King," the play in which she appeared in the role of Nala. Soprano Seiko Lee then sang arias representing various musical traditions including Korean, Japanese, South American, European, American, and an excerpt from the peace cantata "Halelu," composed by David Eaton and Israeli vocalist, David D'Or.

Two videos were presented highlighting the activities of IPSF and the cultural initiatives of Miss Lee and Mr. Eaton in North Korea and Israel (through the Middle East Peace initiative), with a special emphasis on building bridges among cultures through music and art.

After intermission, dance troupes from Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Taiwan presented colorful and exciting international dances to standing ovations. The ensemble from Sri Lanka created a piece entitled "Sports Dance" especially to honor the Interreligious Peace Sports Festival.

Several international delegates who attended the program requested that similar concerts be presented in their countries centered on the ideals of the Universal Peace Federation and IPSF.