Oldham's day of celebrating peace and cohesion

Date published: 11 September 2018


The search for world peace reaches Oldham’s doorstep in this year’s Peace Day Celebration.

Every year, September 21 is the time to renew a global dedication to peace.

A United Nations-sanctioned holiday, the International Day of Peace was first observed in 1982 after a Resolution sponsored by Costa Rica and the UK.

As a celebration of peace and the absence of violence, the day prompts action from ceasefires to global meditation in an effort to reduce societal conflict at all levels.

Bringing the movement to Oldham is the Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum.

This is a group of civic organisations who have signed an agreement and are working towards making Oldham a more cohesive borough.

To celebrate the area’s commitment, Gallery Oldham will be opening its doors from 1-4pm as the host of this year’s Peace Day Celebration on Saturday week, September 22.

Organised by Peace Talks Oldham and officially opened by the Mayor, the free event will feature live music from Dobcross Youth Brass Band, SS Aidans and Oswalds School Choir and Uke 2 ukulele band.

Young people looking to forge a moment of calm in their everyday lives will enjoy guest speaker Laura Topper’s ‘Ommaysing Me’.

The workshop will combine music, mindfulness and meditation to create a connection back to love cultivated through feeling rather than thought.

There will also be the opportunity to contribute to a peaceful vision of the future in Clive Wilson’s time-travel meditation which will transport guests into 2030 where they can co-design a world for future generations.

Finally, the event will host the final of the Photographing Peace in Oldham competition.

Four professional photographer judges will be announcing the winners and awarding prizes, with a separate presentation by David Shaw on his photography projects in Oldham including work with the Chai Ladies women’s project.

For full details, visit the Peace Talks Oldham Facebook page.


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