Through November 2018, the Welsh Centre for International Affairs organised an ambitious programme of events to mark the 80th Anniversary of the opening of Wales’ Temple of Peace on Nov 23rd 1938, as well as #WW100 – the centenary of the Armistice of 11th Nov 1918, and beginning of the post-WW1 “Peace Process” that shaped global relations over the century since.
WCIA delivered over 43 events with a wide range of partners, each exploring an area of Wales’ ‘Peace Heritage’, and the work of Temple organisations past, present and future – as well as showcasing through the Wales for Peace Exhibition the work of volunteers and communities who have contributed to the Wales for Peace programme between 2014-18. This blog aims to draw together links and resources from all these activities, as they become available.
Voices of 1938 – Clippings Projection
Voices of Temple80 – Film
Temple80 November Programme of Events (scroll down for recordings / outputs)
View full programme of events – English; Welsh; Eventbrite
View Temple80 Exhibition Guide – English; Welsh
Listen to ‘Assemble’, composed for Temple80 / WW100 by Iffy Iwobi and Jon Berry
Temple80 Anniversary Evening
Centrepiece of Temple80 was the Gala evening on 23rd November, attended by about 230 people and including:
– Self-Guided Tours of the Temple of Peace, and Temple80 / Wales for Peace exhibition.
– ‘A New Mecca’ Performance in partnership with Dr. Emma West, Uni of Birmingham and British Academy; Being Human Festival; Gentle Radical Arts Collective; and 50 volunteers and participants from diverse community groups. View ‘A New Mecca for today’ Being Human Festival blog by Dr Emma West.
– Communal Rededication of the Hall of Nations (back to its original 1938 title, as discovered from the archives)
– Food, Drink and Fireworks
– Launch of ‘Voices of Temple80’ Documentary Film by Tracy Pallant / Amy Peckham / Valley & Vale Community Arts
– WCIA VIPs Reception and alumni reunion, with Cutting of a ‘Rainbow Cake’
Peace Garden 30th Anniversary
On Saturday 24th, this was followed by a #PeaceGarden30 Rededication and Family Fun Day, in which WCIA brought together UNA Exchange international volunteers and alumni and Garden of Peace Founder Robert Davies, with children from Roath Park Primary School
Together they unveiled 2 new colourful mosaics (created by international volunteers) on a new archway entrance in the Peace Garden; buried a Time Capsule in the Garden, to be opened in 50 years time; and unveiled a plaque on one of WCIA’s meeting rooms in honour of Robert Davies, and all international youth volunteers inspired by him from 1973 to today.
#Temple80 ‘Wales for Peace’ Exhibition
The Exhibition accompanying Temple80 sought to draw together the story of the Temple, with Wales’ peace heritage of the last 100 years – including hidden histories gathered by community groups and volunteers 2014-18 – along with responses from young people, schools and artists.
View Temple80 Exhibition Guide – English; Welsh
Artists in Residence showcased a range of responses for visitors to delve deeper into the Temple’s stories:
- Jon Berry, Temple80 Artist in Residence composed a series of musical installations responding to the Temple spaces & heritage; and also collaborated with musician Iffy Iwobi to produce and perform ‘Assemble’, a 8 minute musical tribute for the BME Remembrance Service.
- Ness Owen, collection of 5 poems responding to heritage materials in exhibition;
- Will Salter, ‘Guiding Hand’ alternative tour of the Temple encouraging deeper spatial appreciation;
- Hazel Elstone, crafted multicoloured wreath of red, white, black and purple Remembrance poppies
- Lee Karen Stow, with her ‘Women War & Peace’ photography display;
- Tracy Pallant & Amy Peckham, with their community films including Temple80 Rap by BME artist Jon Chase.
Recordings / Outputs from Temple80 Events
Media Coverage
A New Mecca for Today? Being Human Festival Blog by Dr. Emma West, British Academy
‘We Will Remember Them’ – BBC Documentary by Huw Edwards (Temple of Peace features in about 5 minutes of content, with Dr Emma West and Dr Alison Fell)
How Wales’ most Tragic Mother spread Peace and Hope – Western Mail / Wales Online
Cardiff’s Temple of Peace opens its doors to celebrate 80th birthday – University of Birmingham article
War Mothers as Peace Builders – University of Birmingham
Remembrance Weekend at Temple of Peace – The Cardiffian
Temple of Peace turns 80 – The Cardiffian
Social Media Archives
Twitter Feed & Media: https://twitter.com/walesforpeace?lang=en
Youtube Videos Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0G2l7QV_yPDU4RHB8hEEPg?view_as=subscriber
Soundcloud Event Recordings: https://soundcloud.com/walesforpeace
Flickr Photo Albums: https://www.flickr.com/photos/129767871@N03/albums
People’s Collection Wales archive collections: https://www.peoplescollection.wales/user/8498/author/8498/content_type/collection/sort/date
Facebook Community Page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/walesforpeace/posts