Peace is the only way, say children as theatre festival ends

Children from across the world writing peace messages on the White T-shirts of each others, signalling the culmination of the 10th International Children's Festival of Performing Arts organised by Ryan Foundation in New Delhi.

More than 5000 children from 30-odd countries painted peace messages on each other's white T-shirts as the 10th International Children's Festival of Performing Arts drew to a close here yesterday evening.

"There's no way to peace. Peace is the only way," was the message written on the T-shirt of one of the participants, summing up what the participants at the festival tried to convey with their plays, dances and songs during the four-day event, organised by the Ryan Foundation.

The T-shirt signing ceremony was held at the National Bal Bhavan here and there were many inspiring messages. "Love from Finland," said one. "Peace lies inside, Hello from Russia", said another. Children like Gaurav Bharadwaj, a student from S.t Joseph's School, Kamboli, flitted from group to group, getting as many of his newly-made friends as possible to fill up his T-shirt with messages.

"Nobody likes terror, and we as Israelis know how bad it is," said Shany, an Israeli participant as she discussed how terrorism was now a global phenomenon. "There needs to be unity against terrorism, and the Mumbai attacks, where foreigners including Israelis were targeted shows that it is a global menace."
Asked how such events helped in creating unity and peace, another Israeli participant, Eliko Levi, said, "It may seem surprising but some of the best friends I have made here are Pakistanis and Iranians. We danced all night together and made plans of making our own government see reason so that there are no troubles between us."

Bubbly youngsters from St.Xaviers, Mumbai, spoke with the Latvians and recounted the number of foreign delegates they had befriended during the event. Saurabh, Shefali and Rahul talked about their new friends from Finland and Romania.

"By performing our street plays and watching their dances and plays, we got to make new friends and through them we can make more friends. I am sure this understanding can effect a salutary change in the global scenario," said Drishti, from Mumbai.

Those who had been here earlier said they were excited to meet their old friends. "This annual experience has enabled us make true friends across borders and in diverse cultures", was the common refrain of the students.
Ryan Foundation Managing Director Grace Pinto said this was just the beginning of a "unique journey". She hoped that everyone would return with beautiful memories. The girls from Sri Lanka were enthusiastic about their travel plans as they talked about going around Delhi and even visit the Taj Mahal.

"I have been here four times but some of the new girls want to see the Taj Mahal. I always look forward to shopping at Sarojini Nagar," said Sadhani. Israeli participant Coral also said she was looking forward to a trip to the Taj Mahal. "We have heard that it is breathtaking."
"This is how cultural peace is maintained through friendship," said another Sri Lankan delegate, Chadamini. The team from Zambia felt what made this festival unique and exciting was the perfect organization and care given to all participants. This was the fourth time Harrison Muleya had come for the event. He said Indian culture and hospitality ensured he kept coming over and over again.

To show how moved the delegates were, one of the participants from Zambia, Linda, has decided to stay till January with her host family, as they invited her to stay with them for Christmas.

The director of the Romanian group, Prof Adriana Codreanu, said, "After performing in 63 international festivals, including, Turkey, Jordan and Morocco, performing in India is different because children get the opportunity to stay with the host families. This exposes them to life here, and the people, whereas staying in hotels is same everywhere."

Clearly, there were many stories to tell, but for most of the children, it was time for pack-up.

NNN