By FFWPU and IAYSP
Creating Peace through the cultural legacy of Central Asia” was the theme of the 8th Hyojeong Peace Festival organized by the Heavenly Parent’s Holy Community of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification cooperated with the International Association of Youth and Students for Peace on March 06, 2022, brought over 9,000 viewers from 22 nations across the Heavenly Asia Pacific Region 1 included families from Russia and Ukraine despite the current conflict taking place in Ukraine.
“I really liked it! Prayer for peace, without wars on earth, was in English, but I understood every word! As it would be in my own language! The language of Peace sounds the same in all the languages of the world! Everyone needs Peace! And everybody can understand the voice of the heart!” This is the word shared by the family from Russia who participated in the Festival.
Dr. Zainidin Kurmanov, Former Speaker of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan who participated the festival shared his reflection that “I found peace in the midst of war”. He added “a wonderfully kind, beautiful and interesting festival.”
Regional President of the FFWPU-AP1, Regional President Demian Dunkley said that Universal values cannot be designed by mankind they are designed by our creator. We must realize that first, we have a common parent which is our creator, and our parent has a certain idea, a certain will and a blessing for us. He emphasized on True Mother message that “all of us, all nations are connected by Heavenly law. All of us, all people of the world need to become one and fulfill our responsibility which is to return this world to its original state.”
Despite the conflict in Ukraine, this festival had connected youth and families to the Heavenly Parent and True Parents through Hyojeong testimonies from families and youth who are practicing the culture of true love and Peace. To conclude this festival, the regional Pres. Demian Dunkley offered a peace prayer for the world, particularly the peace between Russia and Ukraine.