80 year-old Satish Kumar’s 50-mile walk raised the curtain on the One Earth One Humanity One Future festival yesterday
Veteran peace pilgrim Satish Kumar, who once famously walked 8000 miles for peace from India to the USA, completed a 50-mile pilgrimage from the source of the River Thames to Oxford yesterday, arriving in the city on International Day of Peace.
Accompanied by walk organiser Rosalind Turner and 40 fellow walkers, Satish’s pilgrimage finished at the first Oxfam Shop on Broad Street at 3pm.
Satish, who turned 80 last month, made the pilgrimage to fly the flag for a more sustainable world and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Resurgence (Resurgence & Ecologist since 2012), the UK’s longest standing environmental magazine, which he edited for 43 years before recently stepping down from his editorial role (he continues to manage the Resurgence Trust).
Reaching Oxford, the walk raised the curtain on today’s ‘Resurgence 50’ celebration festival – “One Earth, One Humanity, One Future” – which is assembling 50 plus international speakers at Worcester College to share ideas for building a sustainable future, from Thursday 22nd – Sunday 25th September.
Satish Kumar said: “It is very fitting that we finished our pilgrimage on the International Day of Peace. Resurgence began life as a peace publication before expanding its remit to cover the environment, social justice, spiritual wellbeing and many other good causes. So peace is the umbrella which includes all these other elements. Peace is not just about avoiding war, it’s a way of life, inviting us to look after ourselves, each other and the earth we live on. And our One Earth, One Humanity, One Future festival this weekend will explore how we can all play our part in building a more peaceful world in this way.”
During their pilgrimage, Satish Kumar and his fellow walkers have observed a short ritual each day to acknowledge the importance of Nature and the environment. Satish said: “We walkers wanted to send a message that we must all remember to respect and protect the four symbolic elements of earth, air, fire and water on which life depends. Technology, science, politics and economics – however important, these are really all the icing on the cake. The cake itself is the four natural elements. What good is the icing if we have no cake?”
With 40 peace walkers and the general public gathered outside the Oxfam shop at 3pm yesterday, Satish Kumar led a prayer for peace.
The One Earth, One Humanity, One Future festival begins this evening with a launch event featuring a “Quest for Harmony” video address from HRH the Prince of Wales, and talks by Indian activist Vandana Shiva and film maker Lord David Puttnam.
Featuring leading figures from the world’s green and social justice movements ,from John Sauven CEO of Greenpeace and Green MP Caroline Lucas, to Michael Morpurgo and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall – as well as US rapper Prince Ea and a vibrant roster of musicians, poets and artists – many of the festival’s events have now sold out, so book your tickets fast!
Programme & tickets for Resurgence’s ‘One Earth, One Humanity, One Future’ 50th anniversary event in Oxford, 22nd-25th September, are available on the Resurgence website: www.resurgence.org/R50event
To order the latest issue of Resurgence & Ecologist (Sept/Oct 2016) in print or pdf format, visit: https://www.resurgence.org/shop/issues.html
For details of how to become a member of The Resurgence Trust, and receive six magazines a year, visit www.resurgence.org/membership; or contact the Trust: 01208 841824; members@resurgence.org