International Day of Peace Festival: Shining a Light of Peace.
In this time of division and polarization in our society, the Greater Kansas City Interfaith Council is organizing a multi-faith/ multi-organizational event to bring people together to celebrate peace. The “International Day of Peace Festival: Shining a Light of Peace” affirms our commitment to join together to address the needs and challenges facing our community. The Festival will take place on Sunday, September 21, 2025, 1:30 to 4:30pm at the Hillcrest Community Center, 10401 Hillcrest Road, KCMO. This event will be open and free to the public.
The climate crisis cannot effectively be addressed with a world in conflict and war or with a splintered and divided society. The Shining a Light of Peace Festival will bring together individuals, groups, and organizations to share the diverse ways we work for peace and the well-being of all members of our community and our world.
While some might wonder how peace and a less divided society might be good for the climate, the environmental costs of war are immense and largely ignored.
Specifically, wars and conflicts unleash huge amounts of greenhouse gas emissions and pollution from the fossil-fueled tanks, jets, and warships, as well as from the vast military-industrial complexes that churn out ammunition, drones, and military vehicles.
War preparation and the production of weapons systems also consume billions of dollars from the world economy, investments, some of which otherwise could be used to counter the climate crisis.
And from another perspective, a divided society in which one group responds to another group with fear, blame, and animosity, efforts to counter the climate crisis face policy gridlock, eroded public trust in science, and misinformation campaigns.
The Shining a Light of Peace Festival will feature: displays by community and faith organizations; speakers; musical groups; story telling; workshops; prayer and meditation; and art and other activities for all age groups.
Musical performances will include: David Basse, nationally acclaimed Jazz vocalist, taking the torch from KC Jazz pioneers, & Friends; and Amado Espinoza, master of the music of the Andes, and of over 40 instruments, including the Bolivian charango, the Egyptian doumbek, and native flutes from all over the world; and the Traditional Music Society, presenting age old traditional music from West African, the fabric that binds the village together.
More information and registration can be found at: https://kcinterfaith.org/2025-peace-festival
