Launch of the Coventry Peace Festival

The return of the two week festival is a chance to promote peace and understanding between the varying faiths, cultures and communities that flourish within Coventry. Most of the events take place from 1 - 14 November, with other events happening through the remainder of the month. The festival will be officially launched in the Roots Gallery on Thursday November 1 at 6:00pm.

Roots Gallery, a contemporary art gallery in Coventry City Centre, is currently working to develop international links, and is keen to support the Coventry/Dresden Arts Exchange.

"For R. LABAN" by Jean Kirsten, will be the inaugural exhibition of the newly formed Coventry / Dresden Art Exchange, and opens in collaboration with the launch of the Coventry Peace Festival, bringing contemporary art from Dresden into Coventry City Centre's newest art gallery to celebrate the twinning of these towns at a time when Peace and Reconciliation is central to cultural activity within the city.
The exhibition will open to the public on October 30.

The Coventry /Dresden Arts Exchange is an artist led initiative founded by Coventry Artist John Yeadon, which seeks to develop creative dialogue between Coventry and Dresden, and to establish a grass roots organisation of artists in both cities that encourages cross fertilization of praxis by enabling and organising dialogue, collaborative exchanges, exhibitions, educational projects and forums for visual artists in both cities.

Throughout the two week festival and beyond, there are a variety of events including music, dance, arts, crafts, workshops and community projects that promote and celebrate the meaning of peace and understanding.
On Saturday November 3 the Lord Mayor of Coventry Cllr Tim Sawdon will be at the Indian Community Centre in Cross Road, Coventry. Candles will be lit for Peace and Harmony by the Lord Mayor and other dignitaries.

Cultural events will follow celebrating Diwali and the Coventry Peace festival. There will be speeches by the Lord Mayor, Leader of the Council, Councillors and Community leaders. This is a joint event by the Coventry Indian Community and Coventry City Council, which takes place between 6:00pm - 9:00pm.

Hillz FM are holding a series of live radio broadcasts entitled "Peace for brunch" from  5 - 9 November, which gives people a chance to promote your thoughts on peace through poetry, song lyrics, book readings and personal stories. The show will air each day from 11:00am - 12:00 noon.

Coventry Cathedral will be hosting several events throughout the two week festival, including the Peace festival Concert featuring Saint Michael's Singers. As part of the cathedral's annual Remembrance focus, the iconic 'Requiem' by Brahms has at its heart the transition from anxiety to comfort for those who mourn. The work gives a message of hope. The concert takes place on Saturday November 10 at Coventry Cathedral from 7:30pm - 10:30pm.

Sunday November 11 will see the city's communities come together for the annual Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade in War Memorial Park. Remembrance Sunday is the day on which the UK commemorates the fallen in World Wars I & II and other conflicts which have occurred since and that of course are still ongoing.  The ceremony includes a parade, the two minutes silence and a wreath laying ceremony led by the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Cllr Tim Sawdon. The service takes place between 10:45am - 12:00 noon.

Cllr Tim Sawdon, Lord Mayor of Coventry said:
"If you have the opportunity to travel around the world as I have over many years it is astounding how many people know Coventry as a city of peace and reconciliation. The Peace Festival shows the continuing work between communities in Coventry to ensure we remain a city of hope, sanctuary and one of peace and reconciliation.
I am sure, like me, you will be impressed by the amount of events that are taking place as part of the Coventry Peace Festival, and how it celebrates the creative talent within the city, as well as how they are being used to build peace and harmony in Coventry. I hope to see you all at many of these events".
A full list of the events can be found on the website at www.coventry.gov.uk/peace

ENDS

This exhibition has been made possible with the financial support of Coventry City Council Small Arts Grants, and Coventry Peace Festival.
For more information about any of the above, or the Coventry/Dresden Arts Exchange, please visit:

http://www.rootsgallery.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/RootsGallery
Or email: sian@rootsgallery.co.uk