In Park Square, Leeds, the Lord Mayor of the city has revealed the UK’s inaugural city center-based World Peace Flame.
Encased within a custom-designed and locally crafted replica miners’ lamp, the Park Square World Peace Flame serves as a representation of peace, unity, and freedom. The realization of this city center project was made feasible through a crowdfunding effort orchestrated by volunteers from the Garforth Peace Project.
Originally ignited in 1999, the World Peace Flame has gained global popularity as a secular emblem of peace. Communities interested in hosting a World Peace Flame work collaboratively to conceptualize, finance, and erect each monument. While supported by the Garforth Peace Project, the Park Square Peace Flame will be upheld by the parks and countryside service of Leeds City Council.
Organizers state that any flame ignited from a peace flame transforms into another symbol of peace. The public will have the opportunity to obtain complimentary tealight candles from Central Library, along with additional details about the initiative.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Al Garthwaite said:
“Leeds is a culturally diverse city that actively uses city diplomacy to promote peace and unity, thrives as a City of Sanctuary, and I’m proud to say, is a member of Mayors for Peace. Therefore, I was thrilled to unveil the first World Peace Flame to be hosted in a UK city centre.
“This locally crafted and thought-provoking monument will be a fabulous addition to an already beautiful part of the city and complement the existing peace trail well. I look forward to people learning more about peace and to taking energy from the flame to work towards a better, more peaceful world.”
The installation of the World Peace Flame in Park Square marks the establishment of the fourth such flame in the UK. Among the three existing UK flames, two are situated in the broader Leeds region, while the third is located in Snowdonia, Wales. The inaugural Leeds Peace Flame, which is positioned in Garforth’s Diamond Jubilee Gardens, was ignited in 2017, followed by a subsequent flame in the Scholes Peace Garden in 2018.
During the unveiling ceremony of the World Peace Flame, the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Al Garthwaite, was accompanied by esteemed guests, including Deputy Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Kuldip Kaur Bharj, OBE DL, Sue Owen and Fi Murray of the Garforth Peace Project, Maggie Brizzi and Mona Fairholme from the World Peace Flame Foundation, and Councillor David Blackburn, chair of Peacelink Leeds, in addition to staff and children of several primary schools. The event featured musical performances by the Garforth Community Choir and Garforth Ukulele Players.
More information on the World Peace Flame project can be found at: www.worldpeaceflame.org
For more information on the Garforth Peace Project, please visit: www.garforthpeaceproject.com
Information on the Scholes Peace Flame: www.barwickandscholespc.org
