On Sunday, September 21, dancers will join together again to carry the hopes, demands and dreams of New Haven during the Third Annual United Nations International Day of Peace. These dancers participated in 613 Radical Acts of Prayer, a series of performances about spirituality and social action that took place throughout the city this past June during the International Festival of Arts & Ideas.
As part of the project, 13,000 prayer ties, strips of cloth and paper inscribed with the prayers of New Haven were collected and tied to bamboo structures. The dancers will now use the bamboo walls to create gates and arches through which community members will pass as they are welcomed to the Peace Garden.
If you would like to join in the procession, meet the group at 1:00 pm at the UN-New Haven Peace Garden at West River on Ella Grasso Boulevard and Legion Avenue to prepare for the event which begins at 3:00 pm. Anyone is welcome to join in the fun! No dance experience necessary. For more information about being a part of the dance contact Linda Miller at 203-488-8219 or lindaamiller@snet.net (or just show up!). See press advisory below for more information about the event, including location and parking details.
Press Advisory
September 1, 2008
Contact: Jerry N. Poole. Event Coordinator (203) 624.4296
Subject: West River Neighborhood Services Corporation Presents Third Annual United Nations International Day of Peace
The West River Neighborhood Services Corporation and the City of New Haven Peace Commission are co-sponsoring their Third Annual United Nations International Day of Peace event on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at the UN-New Haven Peace Garden at WestRiver on Ella Grasso Boulevard and Legion Avenue in New Haven from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The theme of this year’s event is: A Caring Neighborhood, Families of Hope, Communities of Strength, Together: New Haven a Peace Messenger City.
New Haven was designed as a Peace Messenger City in 1985. The PeaceGarden at West River was established in 2000, and is one of only a few places in the world where the United Nations emblem is displayed on land not owned and controlled by the UN. “We are joining millions of people around the world in coming together to call for worldwide peace”, declared Reverend Kevin Ewing president of the West River organization.
WestRiver residents and the New Haven Peace Commission have developed a Neighborhood Declaration of Peace that can be signed by New Haven residents at the event. The document will be transmitted to the New Haven Board of Alderman, United Nations, and other Peace Messenger Cities around the world after the event. A peace canvass signed by West River youth will be on display.
The September 21st event, which is free and open to the general public, will feature acclaimed actress and international women’s rights leader Vinie Burrows as keynote speaker. In addition, local talent will provide entertainment, and activities for children will be available. Free parking will be available at New Haven Parking Authority lots located between Tyler Street and Orchard Street.
The West River neighborhood is a participant in the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven’s Neighborhood of Choice program.