San Miguel de Allende is officially joining 200,000 cities in 194 countries in the inauguration of a peace pole in Parque Juarez Wednesday, August 2, at 4 p.m. A peace pole is a four-sided monument that displays the message May Peace Prevail on Earth in the language of the country where it has been placed and three additional languages.
The one in San Miguel will feature six languages, including English, Spanish, Otomi, Nahuatl, Braille and Mexican Sign Language. The SMA peace pole will acknowledge Rotary in both Spanish and English around the base of the pole.
The first peace pole was placed at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in 1955, just 10 years after the world’s first nuclear devices were used.
The unveiling of San Miguel’s three-meter tall pink-cantera monument will include a time capsule. In it will be the hopes for peace from local students, who will display the flags of 194 nations at the ceremony.
In addition, there could be a medallion from the Rotarian Action Group for Peace, something from the United Nations and other significant artifacts in the time capsule. The ceremony will include music played by Yoremem Jocobi, and there will be indigenous ceremonial dancers and more.
At 5:30 p.m., a peace walk with the students, organizers, Rotarians from Queretaro and around Mexico and others will proceed to the Jardin with the 194 nation flags and Mexico’s own peace flag, known as the bandera de paz.
At 6:30 p.m. the formal inauguration of the peace pole will start at either the Jardin or Teatro Angela Peralta, depending on weather.
It is anticipated that there will be a presentation by San Miguel Rotaract youth, a message from the World Peace Prayer Society, and a message by Presidente Municipal Ricardo Villarreal. Entertainment will include more music and a dance exposition.
“A peace pole symbolizes the oneness of humanity, our wish for a world at peace. It reminds us to think, speak and act in the spirit of peace and harmony. It brings people together to inspire, awaken and uplift the human consciousness. It stands as a silent vigil for peace to prevail on earth”, said Rotary Peace Pole Organizer, Tom Schneider.
“The time capsule is meant to be opened in 50 years. We have our English- and Spanish-speaking Rotary Clubs, our Rotaract Club, Camino de la Paz, the Municipality of San Miguel de Allende, and countless citizens to thank for this expression of hope for peace,” said Rotarian Francisco M. Arino.
Club Rotario insciption on SMA Peace Pole (Photo: Robin Loving)
To see the video, click into www.RotaryIsPeace.org (English) and/or www.RotaryEsPaz.org (Spanish).
For more information about peace poles, go to www.PeacePoleProject.org.
For more information about Rotary, go to www.Rotary.org.
For more information about Camino de la Paz, go to www.caminodelapaz.org
For more information about the Rotary Club of San Miguel de Allende – Midday and to see some of the donors for the peace pole, go to www.RotarySMAMidday.org
Information and Photographs provided by Robin Loving
President, Jovenes Adelante
JovenesAdelante.org
Founder, SMA Your Way Concierge Services
SMAYourWay.Today
Co-Founder, Nonprofit Resource Network
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