“Peace and Hope” 1,760 ft Art Installation Ribbon Cutting on the National Mall: Syria’s Child Refugees Paint Their Story

posted on: Oct 22, 2014

From October 23 – 27, a 1,760 foot art installation painted by more than 1,000 Syrian refugee children, entitled “Peace and Hope,” will be displayed on the National Mall.

The art exhibit is a non-political cultural diplomacy initiative aimed at educating the public about the plight of Syrian children and youth. “Peace & Hope” shares firsthand stories of Syrian children and youth impacted by over 3 years of conflict that has left millions displaced and in need of lifesaving aid.

The mural was created in the Shakespeare Tent of Zaatari Refugee Camp in Jordan under the leadership of popular Syrian actor, Nawar Bulbul, a war refugee. Over the course of a few months, children and youth of all ages were invited to paint on the canvas. The drawings tell stories of hope, of despair, of innocence, of peace, of love, and of devastation.

The art exhibit was brought to Washington DC through a grassroots humanitarian initiative. The art exhibit is being supported by over 25 organizations including UNHCR, UN-Habitat, UN Foundation, Search for Common Ground, International Medical Corps, Qatar Foundation International, Physicians for Human Rights & Syrian American Medical Society. The exhibit will feature a UNHCR tent to simulate life in a refugee camp, where the canvas was made.

Opening Ribbon Cutting & Live Jazz on the
National Mall

Date: October 23 from 5:00pm-7:00pm
Location: National Mall (between 6th & 7th street NW on Jefferson Dr.)

Speakers:
Anne C. Richard, Assistant US Secretary of State, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration
Daniel Rubenstein, Special Envoy for Syria, US Department of State Shelly Pitterman, UN Refugee Agency, Regional Representative in the USA & Caribbean Dr. Vanessa Cavallera, International Medical Corps, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support team, Hazami Barmada, Principal, Barmada Consulting & Curator, #RestoreHappy, Omar Al-Chaar, co-Founder of Beats, Rhymes & Relief

Program: Brief speaker remarks, Video message on the making of “Peace and Hope,” Live fusion Jazz by Luis Fife Quartet, Launch of #RestoreHappy photo campaign.

RSVP & additional information: http://restorehappy.eventbrite.com/

Art Exhibit
Date: October 24-27 from 8:00am – 6:00pm daily
Location: National Mall (between 6th & 7th street NW on Jefferson Dr.)

RSVP & additional information: http://restorehappy.eventbrite.com/