Peace pole to be dedicated in Naperville park
A tribute to peace is standing tall in Veterans Park in Naperville and it's soon to be christened during a ceremony on Saturday.
The ThinkGlobal Arts Foundation will host a dedication for the new peace pole installed this summer at 2 p.m. Saturday at the park, 303 E. Gartner Road.
Naperville's peace pole is one of many throughout the world unified in offering one message: "May peace prevail on earth," said Revati Natesan, founder of ThinkGlobal Arts.
"It's a strong message that peace is an alternative that everyone has," Natesan said. "It's open to all of us on a daily, moment-to-moment basis."
The six-sided, brushed stainless steel pole shows its message in 12 languages: Arabic, Cherokee, Chinese, English, French, Hindi, German, Japanese, Russian, Spanish, Swahili and Tagalog. It was designed by an artist in Ohio and Natesan said she's already seen onlookers reflecting at its base, asking about its purpose and remarking on its beauty.
"When I first saw it," she said, "I was awe-struck by it."
During the ceremony Saturday, 12 people - one representing each country whose language is used to convey the message of peace - will read the words in their language. International students from nearby North Central College will display flags from their native countries and Japanese students will hand out paper cranes. Musically, the ceremony will begin with Native American flutes and drums, and later, kids will play and sing peace-themed songs such as "Let There be Peace on Earth" and "It's a Small World After All." Other youngsters will perform rhythmic dances.
Natesan said the message of peace is vitally important for children who might be facing cyberbullying or other social pressures.
"Especially the kids, they need to know that it's an alternative. They don't need to bully back if they're bullied," Natesan said. "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth - I understand that. But there's another way, also, which is peace. Once you use it as a tool, I think it's a very strong tool."
Now that the peace pole is installed, Natesan said her group plans use it as the site to honor one Naperville peace advocate each year. The first such advocate will be honored Saturday, but Natesan said she's keeping the honoree's name secret until the ceremony.
The Naperville Park District along with Naperville service clubs such as the Noon Lions and the Rotary clubs, supported peace pole installation among other supporters and private donors. The pole is near the DuPage River Trail where it crosses through the west side of Veterans Park - a visible spot for all to see.
"I think they will find peace in just looking at the pole," Natesan said.