WPF Tour in the Netherlands 1 Enschede/Twente

FIRST VISIT: WPF Enschede/Twente 21 September 2021.

This summer I got the idea to visit all WPF monuments in the Netherlands. I have not seen all yet and I would love to meet the people behind the monuments: they care for the flames and they spread the light through all kind of activities. How are they touched by the wpf? What are they motivated by?

 

Peace in yourself and in the world: beyond all religions

In the middle of the town of Enschede (Twente), in a crowded shopping street, the Monastry the Wonne is a centre of peace. People pass the windows of the Wonne and can see the World Peace Flame monument that is in the large hall. A place of contemplation and of meeting each other. The community of Saint Francis supports homeless people with temporary shelter. The community members in the Wonne have a personal relation with the flame and pay attention to the WPF light during services.

The WPF working group Twente, connected to the Wonne but operating independent, is a very active group: they cooperate with a variety of peace groups in Enschede. This cooperation shows a wonderfull, interreligious living together – priests and reverents, imams, pandits, bhudists and tibetan monks are all connected to the flame.

I visited the WPF group on 21 September, the UN Day of Peace. On the annual celebration in Enschede, initiated by the WPF working group,  80 participants gathered and all religions were represented. An evening with music, poetry, presentations and LIGHT! Six years old  Max was interviewed and he told about the Peace package ‘Peace in your hands’ (Lopend Vuurtje) and his favourite activity: the secret friend!

The WPF group is also active in providing guest lessons on ‘Peace in your hands’ at primary and secondary schools in town. Lessons for asylum seeker children and in exchange programme with schools in Syria and India are included.

You can read more about Peace is a lifestyle on www.wereldvredesvlamtwente.nl/.

 

Anke van Keulen