A peace festival in the United Kingdom was a sell-out event on November 22 at the London ExCel Center. Together with the main event there were six focus sessions of 200 delegates each, an art exhibition, and exhibition stalls.
The festival brought together Ambassadors for Peace from throughout Europe, Africa, and the Middle East to a wide range activities from conferences in elegant settings to service projects in inner-city parks and a rousing concert in the ExCel center, one of London’s newest and hottest venues.
At 4:30 PM people began entering the exhibition hall at the ExCel Centre for the main event. Art exhibits and a dozen information booths from various GPF partners on themes of peace attracted much attention.
The 3,000 seats in the auditorium quickly filled up, and another 1,000 people watched the program on a screen in an overflow room. Musicians from various backgrounds and styles performed, to the delight of the audience. Dhol drums and bagpipes opened with an exciting East/West fusion performance, followed by the string section of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by David Eaton playing Benjamin Britten’s “Simple Symphony.”
Then top UK soul singer Ola Onabule and the Austrian Peace Choir took to the stage to sing Josh Groban’s “You Raise Me Up.” Other singers included “New Generation” from the DaVinci’s band, Dawud Wharnsby, Steve Balsamo and The Storys, the rising teen rap star Chipmunk, and Patti Boulaye, a popular singer also known for her charity work in Africa.
Jhr. Drs. Pieter Beelaerts van Blokland, a former Dutch government minister, welcomed Global Peace Festival Chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Moon, who spoke extemporaneously on the theme of “One Family Under God,” a message he has been delivering throughout the year to Global Peace Festivals on five continents. He called upon the crowd to make a commitment to interfaith unity, strong families, and selfless service.
This keynote address was followed by Beatles tribute band Bernie and the Peacemakers featuring Simon and Jo, Twist and Jive champion dancers. The music and the moves proved irresistible, and people of all ages got out of their seats to dance and mingle with one another to some of the most memorable songs. For once, it was not a "Hard Day’s Night," and the evening concluded happily with the appointments of many new Ambassadors for Peace.