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SARATOGA SPRINGS — Last week was Peace Week in Saratoga, hosted by the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, from Saturday, Sept. 21 to Friday, Sept. 27. The main event of the week, the Peace Fair, took place on Sunday, Sept. 22, from noon until 4 p.m.
According to the week’s official website, “The mission of the Peace Week/Fair is to empower attendees to build a more peaceful world. Peace Week/ Fair will showcase the hard work and creative spirit of individuals and organizations dedicated to promoting peace and justice in all facets of our lives.”
In addition to the church, the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County, Saratoga Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, Saratoga Peace Alliance and Women Against War were also partners this year.
The reason why Peace Week was last week is due to events at the United Nations. On Friday, Sept. 20, the UN’s bells of peace rang at 9 a.m. to start the International Day of Peace Student Observance, and then again hourly on Saturday the 21st to commemorate the UN’s International Day of Peace, aside from at noon when there was a moment of silence instead.
In Saratoga, there was an event almost every day for the week. On the 20th, comedian Ben Tumin examined both the 1954 coup in Guatemala and the current migrant crisis on the southern border, followed by an audience Q&A at Skidmore College, while on the 21st there was yoga at the Peace Pole on High Rock Avenue led by Jael Polnac, who has practiced yoga for over 20 years. Later in the day there was a showing of a film weaving testimony from several Syrian refugees living in Berlin, and a brief documentary by a Skidmore student exploring the lives of Syrian immigrants in the Capital region.
Next was the Peace Fair on the 22nd, which included free live music and food. The fair “offers everything from exhibits on how environmental action builds peace to non-profits promoting social justice to fair-trade items for sale,” according to the website.
It continued by saying that new for this year was participation from the Citizens Advisory Board, promoting a safe and peaceful community and collaboration with the Native American Festival.
The fair also advertised being able to meet Apollo the police horse, Ricky from the canine patrol, being able to check out a fire truck, police car, bouncy house, photo booth and a free lunch, although donations were accepted.
Monday, Sept. 23 had a panel of experts from regional colleges talk about human migration and climate change. The24thhadaseniors’luncheon and a documentary showcasing a group of left- and right- leaning voters coming to an understanding via a workshop. Finally, on the 26th there was a public forum about how to end homelessness in Saratoga.
For more information, visit www.peace-ing.org.
