Re-awakening the spirit of peace

THE Edinburgh-based Festival of Spirituality and Peace, which along with the famous 'fringe' and International festivals, brings tens of thousands of people to Scotland's capital and attracts the interest of millions, seeks to be an occasion of celebration and understanding for people from all faith backgrounds and none.

Moreover, the whole Edinburgh's festival season is not just a 'commercial jamboree', but an an opportunity to recapture the vision of peace in the human community, amidst a world of conflict.

That was the message of the director of the Festival of Spirituality and Peace, the Rev Donald Reid, speaking on the BBC Radio 4 'Sunday' this morning (7 August 2011).

He recalled with presenter Roger Boulton that the Edinburgh International Festival was conceived in 1947, after the devastation of the second world war.

Its aim back then was to "provide a platform for the flowering of the hman spirit" - and the Festival of Spirituality and Peace, which will attract some 25,000 people to 300 performances over 200 events in six venues between 6-29 August, seeks to "reawaken the heart of the festival for people who, after 9/11, want to work together for a peaceful future," says Mr Reid.


More here.