This year, the International Children's Friendship Festival hosted by the Turkish American Cultural Association of Washington was kind enough to welcome 'Colors of Peace'.
A special selection of works from kids in Reykjavik, Iceland were chosen from the Colors of Peace collection to join the over 500 works created by kids around the world and included in this years ICFF.
Thanks to the excellent organization and hard work of many people in the Turkish community here in Seattle, the festival was very well attended. An extra special thanks to Esra and Patma from TACAWA.
Esra Bakkal welcomed the Colors of Peace works as a 'Guest Exhibit'.
And Patma oversaw the huge task of installing all of the artwork. Thank you Patma, you are amazing!
The Tabak family is happy to learn about Peace Run and Colors of Peace.
Tepik showed us his artwork which was included in the ICFF exhibit.
The ICFF draws its inspiration from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founder of the Republic of Turkey who created the tradition of 'Children's Day'. His legacy is "Peace at Home, Peace in the World."
Young people from the Seattle Youth Commission...
Thanks Katie for joining the Peace Run.
A quiet and peaceful moment.
There were many young people and countries who came to join the ICFF and to show their love of peace and kids.
Students from AFS...
King County Emergency Preparedness team...
Macedonia...
Oscar represents Spain...
Kazakstan...
Romania and Moldova...
Youth from Mongolia...
Uzbekistan...
Young Indian artists with incredible artistic expression
Hungary...
Palestine...
Peace and friendship from Cameroon...
Azerbaijan...
Kia Ora from Hayden and Katherine from New Zealand!
G'day mate from Australia!
Germany...
The Phillipines...
Ukraine...
And finally... our most excellent and peace loving hosts, Turkey.
Natasha from LaVida Dance Studio was enthusiastic to hold the Peace Torch. Her vision and goal of excellence in dance was very clear in the dance presentation her kids gave at the Festival today.
Three happy peace lovers
Senilla Flamenca dancers hold the torch...
Peace and serenity in the midst of enthusiasm and color...
Noushin and her husband
Young Mexican dancers
This family came to see their artwork submitted to ICFF by their daughter Selena.
Here is Selena with her excellent art.
Afterglow Youth Hip Hop
Dash from Full Circle Organic Foods...
Datina Junior
ICFF asks those who submitted artwork to express 'When I see tomorrow, I see..." It is encouraging to see how many of the artwork says 'I see peace, friendship and oneness.'
Jasmin says... "In the future, I see myself in everyone and everyone in me. My dream for the world is that different races will be united as one."
We are so grateful to Esra Bakkal who welcomed Peace Run and the 'Colors of Peace' exhibit to join the International Children's Friendship Festival this year. It was a joy and privilege for us. And thank you Esra and Oguz for traveling here to Seattle for the event.
Until next year, art, friendship and peace, peace, friendship and art.
