Celebrate the UN International Day of Peace this Friday

In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly designated September 21st of each year as a day for the entire world to observe a day of peace and nonviolence. In Northfield, everyone will have more than one chance to observe the UN Day of Peace and to share with others their wishes for peace and their stories about how to be "Instruments of Peace." This is the fourth year Northfield has had a community celebration of the International Day of Peace.

Schedule of Peace Events

• Friday, September 21: 12:00–12:15 -- Peace Vigil in Bridge Square
• Friday, September 21: 7 p.m. -- "Beyond the Call," a film about international aid. -- Unitarian Universalist Fellowship 420 W. 8th St.
• Saturday, September 22: 12:00–12:15 -- Peace Vigil in Bridge Square
• Saturday, September 22: 12:15–2:00 p.m. -- Peace Celebration in Bridge Square including songs (in Spanish and English), speeches,and paper cranes. In case of rain the celebration will be held in the Northfield Public Library.

During the peace celebration on Saturday, Marj Evans-de-Carpio will sing songs of peace in Spanish and English and lead us all in singing songs of peace. Her daughter and other children will share their thoughts about peace.

Mac Gimse, Professor Emeritus of Art, will talk about his Nobel Peace Prize Forum Sculpture and Poetry. Gimse joined the St.Olaf faculty in 1970, after earning his graduate degrees in Art at the University of Iowa and teaching in Canada. The St.Olaf College Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize Forum commissioned him to create four different sculpture- with-poetry presentations for six Nobel Peace Prize Laureates. The first—Striving for Peace—was given to Norman Borlaug. The second creation, Children of the World, was presented to Rigoberta Menchu Tum. The third—Bearing the Burden of Peace—was given to David Trimble and John Hume, co-Laureates from Ireland. His piece for 2004—Roots and Wings—was presented to Jimmy Carter, Nobel Laureate in 2002.

"My goal is to produce sculpture for 22 Laureates if I can stay alive long enough," said Gimse.

Students of all ages—from Head Start to college—are welcome to participate. Vitaly Buldakov, a scholar from Yaroslavl, Russia is studying and working at St. Olaf College as a Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant, will share his wishes for peace in the world. Scholars from Carleton and St.Olaf are encouraged to join us in our celebration of peace.

The celebration on Saturday afternoon will conclude with a paper crane ceremony and the making of cranes.