“Love is life. All, everything that I understand, I understand only because I love. Everything is, everything exists, only because I love. Everything is united by it alone.” ~Leo Tosltoy
| On May 9th, I met a proud and nationalistic Петербург dressed in festive attire to receive locals and visitors who walked the streets in solidarity, honoring the memory of loved ones lost in World War II. Cities across the country commemorated with military exercises, marching bands, and fervent political speeches, the 70th anniversary of Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany that marked the end of a six-year devastating conflict. Nearly every family in Russia has suffered the fatal impact of this war, and I was deeply touched by the bond of remembrance palpable among the masses. |  Парад 9 мая |
Despite the celebratory tone of the events, the faded faces of poster-made photographs parading through the streets looked with melancholy at the eyes of our contemporary society that continues to tolerate war, that has let political tensions escalated and neighbors become enemies, that has forgotten we all belong to the human family and should approach each other with empathy and respect. The world is crying tears of sorrow witnessing untamed outbursts of racial hate, religious disagreements, land disputes, rights violations.
 Марсово поле | History has taught us that there is no victory in war; humanity will be victorious when we pursue dialogue over violence, find sustainable paths to peace, and learn to resolve differences by constructing understanding not by destructing lives. We are responsible for the well being of our communities, and collectively we ought to make a true commitment to peace. We must draw peace with our tender hands, with our kind words, with actions that honor the diversity of our communities and foster collaboration and respect. |
The journey to global citizenship involves walking together intentionally toward cultivating peace and cooperation; let’s demonstrate a genuine commitment to participate responsibly and advocate for non-violent action to deal with conflict, so our society can become a more peaceful place for future generations. We must choose peace in our souls and work relentlessly to ensure that peace is our present and our legacy. What should be more eternal than peace? Let’s forge together a culture of peace by which we live; let solidarity be our muse.
| alborota la guerra hablemos de paz. metralletas miopes de justicia lloran municiones de sal. manos que acarician gatillos con llagas de soledad. pupilas indolentes, dilatadas de pólvora, retinas de cristal. guerra inerte, guerra obscena, guerra que fecundas guerra, latigas almas, laceras mentes. guerra de banderas, mutilas hermandad. enmudece, guerra, tu voz aturde, repliega hazañas al destierro, arraiga la paz. |  |
RSS Feed