जुलै 6, 2024 Live from the road

Pwllheli - Portmeirion

Reported by Devashishu Torpy 30.0 km

Our Peace Run begins in the North of Wales by the sea.

In the summer rain we visit the Peace Statue, depicting the Peace Run's founder Sri Chinmoy, in Treborth Botanic Garden.

Our run begins in Pwllheli.

The sun begins to appear.

Carrying the torch is Rasmivan Collinson from Bristol, who is one of only four people who have run a full 7 month European Peace Run twice!

The coastline is extremely beautiful.

After running 30 kilometres, we arrive at Portmeirion.

Situated on a private peninsula overlooking stunning coastal scenery, the Italian Riviera meets rural Wales with a riot of colour and architectural styles at Portmeirion Village. Built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis, Portmeirion is now one of Wales’ most popular tourist destinations.

Using an eco-friendly approach, Sir Clough Williams-Ellis designed his architectural vision around a Mediterranean piazza. Endangered buildings and unwanted artefacts from all over the globe were transported and rebuilt to create a nest of loggias, grand porticoes and tiny terracotta-roofed houses, painted in bright colours.

Meurig Jones is the location manager at Portmeirion and he very kindly gives the Peace Run team a quick tour, regailing us with fascinating stories. Meurig is also instrumental in facilitating today's event.

In the grounds of Portmeirion, there is an area called Tanglewood, where everyone is gathered for today's special ceremony.

The Peace Team arrive.

The Peace Run team introduce themselves and sing two songs composed by the founder of the run, Sri Chinmoy.

A local male choir, Cor Meibion Ardudwy, now offer some powerful songs. The choir was formed in 1953 and the members come from the nearby area of Harlech, where the Welsh language is spoken by the majority of residents.

Poems by Sri Chinmoy are read out in English and in Welsh. Reading this poem is Meurig Jones, the location manager at Portmeirion.

Another poem is read out by Rhianwen Pugh. Rhianwen is an accomplished harpist who has performed worldwide and accompanied such famous musicians as Adele and Bryn Terfel.

Everyone has a chance to hold the torch as beautiful harp music is played by Rhianwen.

Robin Llywelyn (left) and Kaivalya Torpy (right) unveil the Peace Statue which is being offered to Portmeirion by the Peace Run.

Robert Llywelyn is the Managing Director of Portmeirion and the grandson of Sir Clough Williams-Ellis who created it. Kaivalya Torpy is the sculptor who created this Peace Statue.

The statue has been created to be interactive. Passers by are invited to hold the Peace Torch and share a few silent moments of peace.

Aled Morgan Jones is the conductor of the choir.

Charana Evans stands with the statue.

Sanjaya holds the torch.

The Stott family stand together with the statue and the Peace Torch.

Stephen Thomas, our Master of Ceremonies, holds the torch.

Our Peace Runners from the Czech Republic, who travelled here just for this special event, stand with the Peace Statue.

Prabhavati and Charana stand with the statue.

Petr is from the Czech republic and was instrumental in creating a team of runners for this event.

Everyone is invited for Welsh cakes and tea in the Hercules Hall, and we enjoy more musical performances.

Ujjiti from Cardiff is celebrating her 70th birthday with her sons.

Thank you to Sion and Hannah for documenting the event.

Rob from Cumbria is one of our photographers.

Adam from Sheffield is another of our photographers.

Torch carried by
Balavan Thomas (Great Britain), Devashishu Torpy (Great Britain), Dhavala Stott (Great Britain), Eva Paradise (Czech Republic), Garga Chamberlain (Great Britain), Josef Šverma (Czech Republic), Ljuba Bobyková (Czech Republic), Martina Šimoníková (Czech Republic), Michaela Zdeňková (Czech Republic), Miroslava Nováková (Czech Republic), Petr Hlava (Czech Republic), Premamrita Fox (Great Britain), Rasmivan Collinson (Great Britain), Rob Sara (Great Britain), Shyamala Stott (Great Britain), Suswara Payne (Great Britain).  
Photographers
Adam Thornton, Devashishu Torpy, Josef Šverma, Petr Hlava, Rob Sara
The torch has travelled 30.0 km from Pwllheli to Portmeirion.

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