Yekaterinburg, Russia – Several activities took place in commemoration of the International Day of Peace in Yekaterinburg.
Interreligious meeting
Followers of different religions gathered together on the occasion of the UN International Day of Peace in Yekaterinburg on September 18. The name of the center that offered a meeting place for the event sounds symbolic: “The Way of Light.”
{besps}/images/stories2/eurasia/2011/russia/4030{/besps}Monthly joint prayers for peace started in our city on the UN International Day of Peace in 2010, and for many people they have become traditional. This Sunday, the initiators – UPF-Urals – offered to the participants an expanded format for the International Day of Peace that included stories about followers of different religions and philosophical schools whose exemplary impact on world peace is worthy of respect and emulation. The scriptures teach that “Faith without deeds is dead”; therefore, it is very important to learn from examples of how words are put into practice in the lives of different people.
The meeting was one more little brick in the foundation of the temple of peace and had a personal impact on each participant.
We would like to express our gratitude to the leader of the “Center of Light-generating technologies,” Sergei Myasnikov.
Torches of Peace
On the UN International Day of Peace, the traditional lighting the Torches of Peace took place in Yekaterinburg on September 21. In the historical center of the city – the square in front of the Eternal Flame memorial – citizens gathered together to express their good will and call upon the world community to stop strife and wars. After poetry and songs about peace, the message of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the occasion of the UN International Day of Peace and the declaration of the UPF Peace Council were read. Later, the torches of Europe, Asia, and Urals mingled together into one flame of peace and friendship.
The cold, rainy weather could not quench the warm, sincere desire of the Yekaterinburg participants to see peace, prosperity, and happiness manifest on our planet.
Charitable program and peace lesson
UPF-Urals received an invitation from the Sverdlovsk Regional College of Culture to organize a meeting related to the UN International Day of Peace on September 22. Having decided to join in a celebration of the International Day of Peace, students and teachers set about preparing a charitable performance and game program for orphaned children.
In order to learn more about the UN International Day of Peace and to carry out the charitable event with more awareness and responsibility, it was decided to conduct a lesson on this theme. Representatives of UPF-Urals talked about the UPF vision of world peace, UN celebrations such as the International Day of Peace, peacemaking, and the longing of all people for peace. The audience was sincere and followed the talk with much interest; we hope it will be followed by fruitful cooperation in the future.