Children in Lebanon pursue peace through art
The daylong exhibit concluded the three-month Arts for Peace project, which brought together small groups of children in communities all over Lebanon to consider the themes of diversity and tolerance as key components of a peaceful society, and to express their thoughts and feelings about these themes in creative ways.
Children in Lebanon usually see differences in terms of religion or politics...we aimed to broaden their understanding of diversity to include ideas such as economic class, age, gender, culture, tradition, race... “I learned that diversity is in all aspects of life,” said Jennifer Sahbo, a member of a group from the Bekaa Valley, whose play focused on the divisions between rich and poor students. “No two people were born the same. We should accept others regardless of religion and confession. Our message from the play of today is that there should be no difference between poor and rich.”
“Through painting, we learned that even if we are different from each other, we should be united and accept each other through diversity despite being different in colour and gender,” said 14-year-old Aline Lahoud, from Marjeyoun in South Lebanon. “Without diversity we cannot feel the fun and beauty of life.”
A group from the mostly Christian region of Bsharreh in North Lebanon developed the themes by acting out a short musical in the style of an Arabic drama, in which a rich woman married a poor man. Children from the mixed-faith Beirut suburb of Ain el Remaneh sang a song that celebrated international diversity, while waving flags representing different countries.
“Children in Lebanon usually see differences in terms of religion or politics,” said Olivia Pennekian, Arts for Peace project coordinator. “Through this project, we aimed to broaden their understanding of diversity to include ideas such as economic class, age, gender, culture, tradition, race, architecture and food – and then to help them understand that the things which make us different are not necessarily bad, but can be something we can learn to appreciate.
“We also wanted children to learn that they can communicate messages of peace, such as those related to an appreciation of diversity and tolerance, through art.”
We should accept others regardless of religion and confession...there should be no difference between poor and rich Between presentations, children found open spaces or jumped on chairs to dance together to Arabic pop music, at times joining hands to perform the traditional Middle Eastern line dance known as debke. On the sidelines, drawings and photographs were hung in a gallery along one wall.
“We are all sons of God regardless of the person’s religion or confession and we should all be close to each other and not alienate others,” said Elias Wehbeh, from the Bekaa Valley. “Diversity is in everything, and this is good.”
The Arts for Peace: Promoting Intercultural understanding through Arts project was funded by World Vision Switzerland and the Eagle Down Foundation.
-Ends-
Children in Lebanon usually see differences in terms of religion or politics...we aimed to broaden their understanding of diversity to include ideas such as economic class, age, gender, culture, tradition, race... “I learned that diversity is in all aspects of life,” said Jennifer Sahbo, a member of a group from the Bekaa Valley, whose play focused on the divisions between rich and poor students. “No two people were born the same. We should accept others regardless of religion and confession. Our message from the play of today is that there should be no difference between poor and rich.”
“Through painting, we learned that even if we are different from each other, we should be united and accept each other through diversity despite being different in colour and gender,” said 14-year-old Aline Lahoud, from Marjeyoun in South Lebanon. “Without diversity we cannot feel the fun and beauty of life.”
A group from the mostly Christian region of Bsharreh in North Lebanon developed the themes by acting out a short musical in the style of an Arabic drama, in which a rich woman married a poor man. Children from the mixed-faith Beirut suburb of Ain el Remaneh sang a song that celebrated international diversity, while waving flags representing different countries.
“Children in Lebanon usually see differences in terms of religion or politics,” said Olivia Pennekian, Arts for Peace project coordinator. “Through this project, we aimed to broaden their understanding of diversity to include ideas such as economic class, age, gender, culture, tradition, race, architecture and food – and then to help them understand that the things which make us different are not necessarily bad, but can be something we can learn to appreciate.
“We also wanted children to learn that they can communicate messages of peace, such as those related to an appreciation of diversity and tolerance, through art.”
We should accept others regardless of religion and confession...there should be no difference between poor and rich Between presentations, children found open spaces or jumped on chairs to dance together to Arabic pop music, at times joining hands to perform the traditional Middle Eastern line dance known as debke. On the sidelines, drawings and photographs were hung in a gallery along one wall.
“We are all sons of God regardless of the person’s religion or confession and we should all be close to each other and not alienate others,” said Elias Wehbeh, from the Bekaa Valley. “Diversity is in everything, and this is good.”
The Arts for Peace: Promoting Intercultural understanding through Arts project was funded by World Vision Switzerland and the Eagle Down Foundation.
-Ends-
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