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Peace Tour Inaugurates UPF in Hungary
Saturday, October 29, 2005
Budapest, Hungary - Rev. and Mrs. Sun Myung Moon arrived in Budapest and immediately began sharing their hearts with organizers of the Universal Peace Federation inauguration there. Also we could sense his vision for the family as his grandson Shin Joon started to make friends by shaking hands with us.
That evening the main room which seated 460 was packed, including 70 distinguished guests, with the Hungarian staff standing along the walls, and another hundred filled the overflow room. The program opened with two songs sung by the Women's Federation for World Peace Choir directed by Maja Mina. Dr. Thomas Walsh gave a brief explanation of the World Peace Blessing and marriage rededication and guided our guests through the ceremony, a deep experience for many. Rev. Chung Hwan Kwak, Chair of UPF, introduced the main speaker, and Father Moon came to the stage. He spoke for two and a half hours, returning to theme that although people may attack him today, he is not afraid, knowing that he will be victorious because God is with him. The peace message was very powerful and inspiring. Father Moon seemed very relaxed in this family-style atmosphere. “Hungary is a good country," he said. "You have suffered a lot during communism! … Hungary should unite the former communist countries.”
Father Moon could touch the heart of the Hungarian audience, but at the same time his explanations were a challenge the guests will never forget. He mentioned several times that these explanations are from God and not his personal words.
During the speech he asked Rev. Kwak to come up on stage and sing a song. He became very enthusiastic when he spoke about cross-cultural marriage.
Guests could experience Father Moon as a dynamic speaker about communism, and he mentioned some special missions that the Hungarian nation has to fulfill in the future. As the speech went on, and some members of the audience started leaving the hall, but those who stayed got an expanded vision of life.
The event included an invitation for couples to join in a world peace blessing toast of marriage rededication.
After the speech, flowers were presented by an elderly Protestant pastor and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Kőhegyi. Then Prof. Lazarovits, director of foreign relations at the Hungarian Jewish Association, and Dr. Parisa Goodiz, representing the Islamic faith, together presented a trophy commemorating this event, symbolizing the power of Father Moon's teachings to dissolve barriers between people of faith.
The event concluded with comments of two Ambassadors for Peace. Prof. Zsuzsanna Lesták, who teaches communication in several colleges in Budapest, testified about the great power of Rev. Moon’s teaching when applied to our personal life. She was followed by Rev. Dr. David Hart, an Anglican priest from the UK, who praised his work for peace.
To read the inaugural peace message, click here.
To download a report booklet of the UPF Founders' 2005 World Peace Tour, click here.