07.24.07
Universal Peace Day’s Quest for World Transformation
By Ray Korona www.raykorona.com
“Power to the Peaceful” are the words emblazoned on a t-shirt worn by SuZen, who with Barry Gruber, is a co-organizer of the annual event in NYC known as Universal Peace Day (UPD). It takes place on August 5 each year, the anniversary of the 1945 bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. www.universalpeaceday.com
SuZen says that UPD’s purpose is “to transform a remembrance of horror into a rededication to life.” Its humanifesto states a number of principles to be followed in order to effectuate this transformation. Among them are to treat all with respect and decency, both socially and morally; embrace our diversities, and foster corporate and government responsibility to protect the environment and support human growth. To ensure a peaceful and just world, the humanifesto ends with an exhortation that each of us practice love, compassion, sharing and mindfulness in our daily lives. www.universalpeaceday.com/humanifesto.html
The first UPD was held in August, 1984, beginning its tradition of artists, performers, speakers, and interfaith leaders coming together in the cause of peace. This year, UPD starts with a Peace Concert at the band shell in Central Park, goes to the Buddhist Church for a Candlelight Ceremony, and then continues with a Silent Peace Walk to Riverside Church for an Interfaith Peace Ceremony that concludes the event.
UPD is filled with diverse and wonderful music and other performing arts! In the event you can get there–or in case you just want to know–here is a full listing (in tentative, but not final order of appearance):
At the Central Park band shell (72nd Street in Central Park, noon to 4:00 PM): Japanese drummers, Moogy Klingman Band, Ichifujikai (Japanese dancers), Spook Handy, Koji Kobayashi (Hiroshima survivor), Rae Ballard (dancers), Ray Korona, Circle of Soul, Bunken Nagano (classical guitarist from Japan), Bruce Markow, Laraaji, Magpie, Adele Rolider, Raging Grannies, Kathleen Chalfant (actress), Shinji Harada (Japanese Rock Star), Yosuko Maki, Robin Greenstein.
At the Riverside Church (490 Riverside Drive, between 120-122 Streets, 8:00 PM): David Amram, Namgyal Korko (Tibetan Horn), Masayo Ishigure (Koto), Seizan Sakata (bamboo flute), Russell Daisey, Shinji Harada and Bunken Nagano. The evening event will have a keynote speaker: The Iron Chef Morimoto, who is from Hiroshima.
Check the UPD web site for exact times and locations of the day’s proceedings and for up-to-date information (including changes and any additional appearances of interest): www.universalpeaceday.com. Over the years, UPD has received support by way of performances from such well known entertainers as Pete Seeger, Richie Havens, Odetta and Peter Yarrow, all especially beloved for their inspiration in helping to build a better world.
SuZen observes that the greater vision of the organizers is for UPD to become an international event. While this hasn’t happened yet, the good news is that many events along these lines are organized each year in many places. For example, in past years I’ve performed peace songs at a very beautiful and moving one at the Ellipse in Washington, DC, and other diverse and empowering ones in Newark and Elizabeth, New Jersey.
To see and hear SuZen and Barry talk about UPD on Joel Landy’s Songs for Freedom cable TV show last year, visit this link: www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jJjAKorp68.
Come to NYC’s UPD if you possibly can do it. If you live far away, then why not think about starting one up where you are in the year ahead? You can contact UPD by email at univpeaceday@aol.com.