Festival looks to peace possibilities post-9/11

EDINBURGH, August 05, 2011: With the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks less than a month away, the Festival of Spirituality and Peace in Edinburgh is seeking to reawaken a spirit of hope for people of different belief and cultural backgrounds who want to work for a peaceful future.

Among the speakers throughout August 2011 will be Imam Feisal Hussein, who has been at the centre of a storm of publicity around the so-called ‘Ground Zero Mosque’.

There are also events looking at change in the Middle East, non-violent responses to conflict, religion and violence, Lockerbie (with the entire Justice for Megrahi campaign committee present), and lessons from Bloody Sunday.

With the theme ‘Faith, Hope and Reality’, the Festival of Spirituality and Peace enters its own 11th year – and between 6 and 29 August 2011 will feature 300 performances across 200 events in six venues, attracting around 20,000 people.

“In 1947, after the devastation of war, the Edinburgh International Festival was conceived as a platform for the flowering of the human spirit. The Festival of Spirituality and Peace seeks to reawaken that aspiration for all who seek peace after 9/11,” commented director Donald Reid.

Art, culture, performance, exhibitions, conversation, food, hospitality and family events are also a core part of the Festival – from oriental drumming through to meditation, health, laughter workshops and a series on science and spirituality.

The Festival of Spirituality and Peace is supported by a range of major religious, cultural and media organisations, including the beliefs and values think-tank Ekklesia.

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. The full programme for the 2011 Festival of Sprituality and Peace can be found at:http://www.festivalofspirituality.org.uk/

2. Media enquiries about the Festival can be directed to Simon Barrow atspiritualityfestivalmedia@gmail, and 07850 120413.

3. The Festival news blog is at: http://festivalofspirituality.blogspot.com/

4. More news and comment on the Festival of Spirituality and Peace from Ekklesia:http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/festivalofspirituality

5. Founded in 2001, Ekklesia examines politics, values and beliefs in a changing world, from an engaged Christian perspective. It has been listed by The Independent newspaper among 20 influential UK think-tanks. According to Alexa/Amazon, it has one of the most-visited religion and politics / current affairs websites in Britain. More: http://ekklesia.co.uk/content/about/about.shtml