Keeping Peace Alive

In a world where acts of terrorism, violence and despair dominate the news, Ginny Fox, founder of the Peace Flags Project, has a different message: One of hope. “We are all peace makers. Peace is active, peace is personal and peace is communal. The power is in our hands.”

Ginny’s inspiration for the Peace Flags Project came from the Prayer Flags of ancient Tibet, a tradition that began more than 2,000 years ago. While the country was ruled by war lords who carried their banners into battle, native people made their own bright flags to keep the nature gods of Bon Shamanism alive. Throughout history, prayer flags have been used to heal, to promote peace, and to grow wisdom and strength. Today, the Peace Flags Project provides opportunities for both children and adults to create flags that express and share their deepest wishes for the world. It is one of the ways that they keep peace alive.

For 12 years, the Peace Flags Project has honored September, the Month of Peace, with events held throughout Rhode Island. Some have become traditions, such as the Peace Art Exhibit at the First Unitarian Church and Peace Flag Workshops at the nine Providence Community Libraries. This year, the Peace Flag Project will also will be part of the 38th Annual Heritage Day Festival, along with the Day of Honor at Roger Williams Park Zoo in recognition of our military and community service personnel.

The joy of celebration is a powerful force of unity. The highlight of 2015 will be Peace Fest RI, on Saturday, September 19, in Burnside Park and Kennedy Plaza. The event is free to the public and promises a dazzling array of entertainment and activity, culminating in the silent and deeply moving Peace Walk, a tradition that joins interfaith clergy and believers from every walk of life.

Throughout the afternoon, music and movement will mingle with craft-making workshops, and hip-hop and Zumba dancers will spring to life between exhibits by many of RI’s worthy nonprofits. Storyteller Len Cabral will weave his spellbinding tales, and puppeteer Dan Butterworth will leave a trail of laughter through the crowd with his interactive rolling stage, a carnival funhouse on wheels. Be prepared for surprises — spontaneous joy may erupt when least expected.

Over the course of the afternoon, a new banner will rise in Burnside Park, stretching more than 18 feet across and 10 feet high. This community collaboration project, which I happily developed for Peace Fest RI, gives everyone an opportunity to contribute to the finished art. Each Peace Flag made by festival goers that day will become an integral piece in a giant mosaic — a quilted tribute of hope to our American flag. By afternoon’s end, the colors will fly above the crowd, unified by the wishes and prayers of hundreds of people who gathered in name of peace.

For Ginny Fox, Peace Month is about coming together. The Peace Flags Project wants to inspire people to realize that they can take their own important steps every day. “The small things we do can be part of building and sustaining important change. Acts of peace and of kindness make our world better.”

In these days of darkness, that is a wonderful thing. It is something that we all can do, to keep the flame of peace alive.

Peace Fest RI takes place on Saturday, September 19, in Burnside Park and Kennedy Plaza from 1 to 4pm. All calendar listings are available at thepeaceflagproject.org. Daily updates are available on the Peace Fest RI Facebook page.