This Canada Day we held an exhibition of artwork and poetry on the theme of peace. Peace Run volunteers collected these works from children all across Canada. We also featured some artwork that was collected during the Peace Run across America this year.
Mayor Jim Watson kindly offered his support to the Canadian Peace Run in the form of this letter.
Peace Runners from Ottawa, Kingston, Montreal, Toronto, New York, New Zealand and Ukraine all helped to make it a great day!
Some children came early and stayed all day!
Margo made a special wish.
This artwork and accompanying poem comes from a grade 7 student in Toronto.
We set up a table with lots of art supplies so that kids could create art right on the spot! Then, they had the option of either displaying it or taking it home with them. Most of them chose to add to the display.
Devaki brought "Rosie" her famous dog puppet who entertained the children (and children at heart).
This painting comes from a school in Kingston.
Pavaka's music group played live in the park which added a lot to the joyful and peaceful atmosphere of the day.
Sangit Surabhi music group also played a couple of tunes.
Some kids blew bubbles with a little help from Deepmala.
Milo the dog took an interest in the Peace Torch but settled for some scratches.
Bridget- the birthday girl!- and Emma held the torch together.
Gael and Kara came to check out the display as we were setting up.
Marshall was very proud to hold the Peace Torch!
William was very moved by the children's artwork and the feeling in the park, he asked a lot of questions and was honoured to have a chance to hold the Peace Torch.
We met a nice family, Aftab, Arsalan and Farhana, who held the torch together.
We received so many lovely pieces of art from children at Vancouver Montessori School.
Lots of people shared interesting conversations and talked about their own wishes for peace.
Chrissi and Iris heard about our exhibition during their lunch at the Peace Garden in the Byward Market and made a special trip to see it.
Renata, who was out walking her dog Mia, took a moment to hold the Peace Torch.
Our new friend had lots of cool ideas about how to create world peace, which he excitedly shared with us! He also had some great tips on how to survive in the woods. It was such an interesting and refreshing conversation.
"What peace means to me is everyone doesn't fight and can live and play with respect"
We were so happy to have Nastya from Ukraine join us for the day!
Vidura tried his hand at some peace art as well.
We loved the paintings that we received from an art school in Toronto.
Manny held the torch several times throughout the day, making a powerful wish each time!
The ever-enthusiastic Karnayati from Toronto came early to help set up the exhibit.
These collaborative drawings are from Victoria Albert School in Winnipeg.
Audrey, who is 10 years old, drew a picture of the world with a bow around it with the caption: "Earth is to wonderful for anyone to notice"
JC the friendly neighborhood dog walker took some time to let us pet all the dogs.
Dhiman, Prabhakar- our photographer for the day- and Utpal.
A procession of runners in red dresses speeded through the park and passed the torch to one another.
Remmington, a local boy who created a piece of art for us to display, came by with his family to take a look at it! He explained the meaning of the picture to all of us.
At the end of the day, Richard asked us if he could buy some art prints by Sri Chinmoy, the founder of the Peace Run. He happily left with three Jharna-Kala paintings.
This family worked on a map of the world puzzle together.
Laurel and Hemangini happily held the torch together.
Some of the original Peace Runners! Kaushalya from Toronto, Paramita from Kingston, Sugandha from Montreal and Hladini from Kingston.
Thank you to Harita and Nastya who drove all the way from New York City to be a part of the event. We are so grateful to all who took part.
