PRESS RELEASE: Bancroft, ON, Nov. 19, 2024

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The Canadian Peace Museum is proud to announce that its Stories of Peace Award Ceremony, held on Sept. 24, 2024, at the Bancroft Village Playhouse (Ontario), has received the Best In-Person Program award from Ontario Culture Days. This recognition celebrates outstanding programming that fosters deep, meaningful engagement within the community. The Culture Days website lists 1,901 events in Ontario in 2024.

THE EVENT: The award ceremony featured a diverse array of cultural expressions, including:

• Poetry by Palestinian-Canadian poet Maya Al-Jaber
• Art by Maynooth, ON artist Dave Maris
• Live music by Liam Kelly
• Photography exhibit Exodus by Nicolò Filippo Rosso, on loan from UNHCR Canada
• Interactive activities peace-pin and peace-pole making
• Silent auction
• Video and art mostly from Ontario, and as far as a refugee camp in Bangladesh (Bangladesh #2)

The event also included talks from: Paul Jenkins, Mayor; Andra Kauffeldt, General Manager of the Town of Bancroft; Professor Wim Laven PhD; the Rev. Svinda Heinrichs of St. Paul’s United Church in Bancroft; and Chris Houston, President of the Canadian Peace Museum.

The ceremony culminated in the presentation of the Stories of Peace Award to Coe Hill School, recognized for their compelling video that explores themes of empathy, kindness, and inclusion. Runners-up were artist Katie Baklinski and videographer Brynn Duggan. The $500 prize was sponsored by Loaded Pierogi. The upcycled trophy was carved and donated by Matt Peshal. Event photos

DAY OF PEACE: This event was part of a series of initiatives surrounding the International Day of Peace, observed globally on September 21, 2024, under the theme "Cultivating a Culture of Peace." The Town of Bancroft and the City of Toronto, under Mayor Olivia Chow, officially proclaimed this day as a Day of Peace. Other related events included the unveiling of a Peace Pole in Bancroft on Sept. 20 and the "1,000 Faces of Peace" pop-up event in Toronto on Sept. 28.

The Canadian Peace Museum extends its gratitude to all collaborators, volunteers, and attendees who contributed to the success of the Stories of Peace Award Ceremony. This recognition underscores the museum's commitment to promoting peace and cultural understanding through community engagement.

THE CANADIAN PEACE MUSEUM is a registered charity fundraising to open a museum in Bancroft.

QUOTES by CHRIS HOUSTON: “Promoting peace has never been more important and we are delighted to win this award. We are grateful to Ontario Culture Days, the people who submitted videos and art about what peace means to them, and to the numerous artists and volunteers who made the event a success. We thank sponsors Loaded Pierogi and carver Matt Peshal for their support. The poignancy of winning this award on the 1,000th day since Russia escalated the war in Ukraine is not lost on me.”

“Peace means the absence of violence and war. It also includes healthy people, a healthy planet, an inclusive society, cohesive communities, democracy, truth and reconciliation. We need peace both locally and internationally. Coe Hill School’s uplifting and thought-provoking video perfectly captured the necessity, complexity, and urgency to protect the environment, promote global peace, cherish kindness and peace, and to help neighbours.”

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