Peace Monuments in Parks, a Hotel, a Restaurant, and School!
Planting Peace Monuments around the world is a program of the May Peace Prevail on Earth International foundation. The Peace Monument is a symbol of a community’s commitment to its children and youth. “Together, we are dedicated to creating a new generation of thinkers and doers that will bring peace to the world,” says Fumi Johns, Executive Director.
1st Peace Monument in Guerrero – in Zihuatanejo!
Zihuatanejo was the first community to construct a Peace Monument in Guerrero back in 2010. It was donated by several community groups, organizations, and businesses, and is inscribed with the words, “May Peace Prevail on Earth” in Spanish, French, English and the native Nahuatl language.
1st Peace Monument by FONATUR – in Ixtapa!
FONATUR (Fondo Nacional de Fomento al Turismo) is the national tourism promotion institution, responsible for planning and developing sustainable tourism projects for Mexico. Ixtapa (a section of Zihuatanejo) was planned and developed by FONATUR with numerous hotels and resorts.
The Peace Monument in Ixtapa is a masterpiece! It was designed by the famous architect Andres Saavedra. It is made of layers of colored concrete to reflect the diversity of the community, along with metal plaques inscribed with the peace message. The monument is located in the Commercial District of Ixtapa, near shops and stores. FONATUR created a “Peace Park” with benches and solar-generated lights for the public to stop, to rest, and to meditate.
Local school children placed their handprints in the wet concrete at the base of the monument during the inauguration ceremony.
1st Peace Monument in a Hotel in Guerrero (and possibly the first in Mexico) – Las Brisas Ixtapa!
Hotel Las Brisas Ixtapa is the first to build a Peace Monument in its lobby. The inauguration ceremony was attended by representatives of the May Peace Prevail on Earth International Foundation, special guests from other international peace centers, hotel guests, and employees. The goal is to sell locally manufactured peace-related products in the hotel’s gift shops with a portion of the proceeds donated back to community charities.
1st Peace Monument in a Restaurant in Guerrero – The Restaurant at Villas Paraiso Ixtapa!
“It is made from parotta wood – the strongest wood,” says Ricardo Gomez Cordoso General Manager of Villas Paraiso Ixtapa Hotel & Restaurant. “It has a large mark along its side to symbolize the pain and suffering we all go through in life to achieve tranquility and peace.”
1st Peace Monument in a School in Guerrero – Instituto Lizardi Zihuatanejo!
And the best, best, best Peace Monument in the community – and the first one in any school in Guerrero – was made by the students at Instituto Lizardi in Zihuatanejo. It was an art class project. It is beautiful with flowers, birds, and colors, along with the peace message.
