Peace bell unveiling set for early October
A festival of bells ringing for peace is being planned to go with the unveiling on 3 October of the New Zealand World Peace Bell in the Botanic Gardens. The City Council and the New Zealand chapter of the World Peace Bell Association have been working on this project for about two years.
The bell, a replica of the original World Peace Bell at the United Nations in New York, was gifted to Christchurch last year. It will be the 21st World Peace Bell. They are in 19 countries; the closest in Australia.
Last August a deputation from the World Peace Bell Association in Tokyo visited Christchurch and its members were pleased with plans for its Botanic Gardens site. The site was also recently blessed by Reverend Maurice Gray of Ngai Tahu.
Work will soon begin to build the concrete and steel housing for the 385kg bell. It will stand on a raised area that will be prominent when entering the gardens from the Hagley Park daffodil woodlands near the band rotunda. It will form the centrepiece of an Asian-style garden and become a starting point for a Peace Walk through the city.
The local World Peace Bell chapter is being supported by several funding organisations, Linwood/Woolston Rotary and businesses. It has a growing membership of individuals, local bodies, and small business interests throughout New Zealand.
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