World Peace Flame Unveiled in Leeds City Centre

The World Peace Flame unveiled in Leeds City Centre symbolizes unity and freedom, encouraging peace within communities. This installation represents the city’s commitment to promoting harmony and serves as an educational tool for fostering peace within individuals and society.

What is the significance of the World Peace Flame unveiled in Leeds City Centre?

The World Peace Flame in Leeds symbolizes peace, unity, and freedom. It represents the community’s collective efforts to promote harmony and serves as an educational tool and call to action for peace education. Maintained by Leeds City Council, it encourages residents and visitors to foster peace within their lives and communities.

Symbol of Unity and Peace in Leeds

The UK’s first World Peace Flame dedicated to a city centre has been officially unveiled in Park Square, Leeds. This symbol of peace, unity, and freedom is nestled within a unique miners’ lamp replica, which has been locally handcrafted. The initiative was made possible owing to the collective efforts and fundraising by the Garforth Peace Project volunteers. The installation of the Park Square World Peace Flame marks a significant achievement, bringing together the community in the spirit of harmony and collective goodwill.

The concept of the World Peace Flame originated in 1999, and since then, it has been embraced globally as an emblem transcending cultural and religious boundaries, fostering peace creation. The process of establishing a World Peace Flame monument is a collaborative venture, engaging communities to design, fund, and construct each one. Leeds City Council’s parks and countryside service will be responsible for the maintenance of the Park Square Peace Flame, a testimony to the city’s commitment to these values.

The unveiling ceremony was not merely a display of a new city monument but also an affirmation of Leeds’s dedication to promoting peace. As Councillor Al Garthwaite expressed, the city thrives on its cultural diversity, city diplomacy, and its status as a City of Sanctuary. This initiative further cements Leeds as a member of the global network, Mayors for Peace. The flame is hoped to inspire residents and visitors alike to reflect on peace and contribute towards a more harmonious world.

A Beacon for Education and Reflection

The significance of the World Peace Flame extends beyond its physical presence; it acts as an educational tool and a source of reflection for the public. Individuals will have the opportunity to take home a piece of the flame’s essence, as free tealight candles will be made available at the Central Library. Along with these candles, information about the peace initiative will be provided, encouraging widespread participation and awareness.

Understanding the history and the global network of World Peace Flames can deepen one’s appreciation of the project. The Park Square installment joins a family of over 30 flames worldwide and becomes the fourth within the UK. The nearby Garforth’s Diamond Jubilee Gardens hosts the first Leeds Peace Flame, kindled in 2017, with a subsequent one in Scholes Peace Garden the following year. A third UK flame resides in the majestic setting of Snowdonia, Wales.

The presence of the World Peace Flame in Leeds serves more than a symbolic purpose; it is a call to action for peace education and active community engagement. By engaging with the initiative, individuals can learn more about the dynamics of peace and are encouraged to commit to fostering it within their own lives and communities. The flame thus becomes a starting point for conversations around peace, unity, and societal harmony.

Community Celebration and Dedication

The Park Square World Peace Flame unveiling ceremony was a vibrant affair, graced by a host of distinguished guests and community members. Among those who honored the event were Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr. Kuldip Kaur Bharj, OBE DL, representatives from the Garforth Peace Project, including Sue Owen and Fi Murray, as well as members of the World Peace Flame Foundation. The occasion was further enriched with the attendance of Councillor David Blackburn, chair of Peacelink Leeds, reflecting the broad support for the peace initiative across various community and governance sectors.

Adding to the celebratory atmosphere, the Garforth Community Choir, and the Garforth Ukulele Players provided a musical backdrop that uplifted the spirits of attendees. The presence of school staff and children from several primary schools underscored the educational potential of the World Peace Flame, highlighting its role in shaping the peace ambassadors of the future.

The Leeds Park Square World Peace Flame serves as a testament to the city’s aspirations and ongoing efforts towards peace and community unity. It stands as a reminder of the power of collective action and the potential of symbols to catalyze change and reflection. As the flame continues to burn, it will undeniably become an integral part of Leeds’s identity, a focal point for both residents and visitors to contemplate and cherish the values of peace and togetherness.

More information on the World Peace Flame initiative is available here.
Those interested in the efforts of the Garforth Peace Project can learn more here.
To explore the Scholes Peace Flame, click here.

• The World Peace Flame in Leeds symbolizes peace, unity, and freedom, encouraging harmony and peace within the community.
• The initiative was made possible through collective efforts and fundraising by the Garforth Peace Project volunteers, bringing the community together in a spirit of harmony and goodwill.
• The World Peace Flame in Leeds is part of a global network of over 30 flames worldwide, with Leeds being the fourth in the United Kingdom.
• The unveiling ceremony of the Park Square World Peace Flame was a vibrant event, attended by distinguished guests, community members, and school children, emphasizing the educational potential of the flame.
• The presence of the World Peace Flame in Leeds serves as a call to action for peace education and active community engagement, inspiring individuals to contribute to a more harmonious world.