A free festival celebrating the idea and culture of peace
Social scientists claim that when 10% of a community align on something, the whole community is more likely to follow too. In other words if you can impact 10% of a group you can impact that whole group. Anyone can all make a difference just by getting started and taking action.
How it all started
Several years ago, Streatham resident Mel Larsen found herself thinking that if only more people could experience peace and learn non-violent communication, there could be a chance of more peace in the world. But it seemed like a preposterous thought, an enormous task to even make a small dent of positive difference in a troubled world. After organising events where she successfully encouraged friends (in Trinidad, UK and Australia) to gather to talk about peace, she decided to take a more local focus where she could have a better chance of impacting that crucial 10%.
Along with Anna Godsiff another ‘Streathamite’, she organised a screening of Jeremy Gilley’s award-winning film, ‘The Day After Peace’ which tells the fascinating, funny and moving story of his journey as he attempts to create an annual global day of Peace. About 30 people turned up to see the film and were all so inspired that Anna and Mel decided to keep going.
The Little Big Peace Event
They built a festival team along with fellow resident Anna Nolan. Five years later they are celebrating the 5th anniversary of The Little Big Peace Event , a week-long, volunteer-led annual festival in Streatham, South London, that encourages thousands of people to explore what Peace means to them. Over the last five years they’ve offered a wide selection of activities, all free. The many highlights along the way range from a hilariously giant scarf made by local knitters, to inspiring talks by mothers who lost their sons to youth on youth violence, to school assemblies, to free hugs and free massage to many packed live music events.
The Poster
As well as encouraging locals to think about what Peace means to them, the festival aims to raise awareness of Gilley’s organisation Peace One Day and the International Day of Peace – September 21st every year. In September 2013 the #PeaceDay hashtag created by Peace One Day had a reach of 3.4 million. In 2014 that number reached a whopping 382 million! Little Big Peace invites everyone to part of the 10%: it can start with simply using the hashtag. Find the festival’s programme here and follow The Little Big Peace Event on Facebook and Twitter for updates and news.
Peace Scarf – Photo credits: Tim Rdley
What: The Little Big Peace Event
When: 15th September – 21st September 2015
Where: In various venues in Streatham, South London
Cost: All events are free
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You may also want to check out the More London free film festival.
