St. Petersburg, Russia - Two events on the theme of the United Nations International Day of Peace were organized in St. Petersburg.
The Baltic Sea Is Our Common Sea
On September 21 a special event took place as part of the International Day of Peace initiated by the Universal Peace Federation, the Methodic Center of Primorsky, and the House of Nationalities.
More than 100 students in the region participated in the event that was a part of the project “The Baltic Sea Is Our Common Sea.” In December, they will take part in the “Light of the Christmas Star” festival in Finland and Sweden.
The event started with a Finish folk dance, brilliantly performed by members of a dancing group. This was followed by interactive training for the children on the theme of “Living in peace with others.” Children created a list of tolerance principles. They were informed about the “Light of the Christmas Star” Festival and plans for creating an International Youth Peace Council.
In the end, the participants symbolically created a Corridor of Friendship by planting rows of young trees. Students at the German high school also planted trees and decorated them with colored bands.
House of Veterans
On September 23, in the St. Petersburg House of Veterans, a meeting timed to the United Nations International Day of Peace took place. The organizers of the event were the Collegiate Association for the Research of Principles and the Universal Peace Federation-Northwest Branch. The meeting on the theme of “From Heart to Heart” was attended by 15 veterans of the Great Patriotic War and 11 youth representatives.
There was a salad-making competition judged by a special jury. Salads were prepared by veterans in advance, and all of them were tasty and original. The winner of the competition, Margarita Vladimirovna Petrunina, and those who placed second and third received diplomas and valuable gifts.
The participants formed teams and worked together to paint a silhouette of a dove, a symbol of peace, and decorate it with a message of peace for the world.
Those who wished could express their talents. Participants sang, recited poems, and danced, thus expressing their unity of spirit and support of efforts to establish world peace.
To read UPF's Declaration on the International Day of Peace 2009, click here.