PROJECT INTRODUCTION CATALOGUE: NO MORE WARS
PARKS OF PEACE AND LINDEN TREES OF FRIENDSHIP
1. SHORT PROJECT INTRODUCTION:
1.1 NO MORE WARS LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS
Because of the project’s daily growth, we have chosen our two websites as the core introduction media. This is simply the basic introduction!
The wish to bring this project to life started with members of Počitniško društvo Kažipot Velenje. Proof that its members are capable of such a complex project can be found in their professional achievements and results of the group’s 65 year long history. This and other activities which contributed to a network of 8 sister cities within the EU and elsewhere connected to Velenje allowed the Municipality of Velenje and the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Slovenia to award the group the status of a society working for public interest.
Today, other youth organisations have formally joined the project, hailing from Videm (Italy), Gornji Senik (Hungary), Istočno novo Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and two cities from North and South Korea.
You can also join the project. How? Read the chapter Future plans na www.nomorewars.eu
The project grew in stages. Firstly, we wished to remind people of the 100th anniversary of the First World War with a display and other activities. For more information on how we achieved this, read the chapter NEVER FORGET, on the before-mentioned website.
With this project we also wish to remind everyone of joint projects and success (IN THE CHAPTER WE DID IT TOGETHER). These include successfully managed international projects and youth exchanges between previously warring nations. We wish to emphasise positive joint values of the European civilisation.
FUTURE PLANS is a chapter where we are creating a platform for future cooperation, for example: displays, youth exchanges, concerts of pacifist groups, tolerance and other anti-war values.
With our project we wish to remind people of previous wars and contribute to preventing wars in the future. In the example of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the former Yugoslavian area, we wish to emphasise that we learn too little from history and repeat mistakes connected to nationalistic and religious conflicts. For this reason it is important to warn and educate young people. Velenje, the hometown of the project’s initiative, can flatter itself with good practice for assimilating immigrants, as representatives from different countries successfully co-exist in the same city, business, football club. We wish to share this successful practice with partner organisations. We will happily welcome other organisations, cities or even individuals who think as we do. NOMOREWARS.EU is an international project which includes pacifist activities and other supporting projects. You can read more about them in the final chapter of this introduction and on the project’s website. The current activities are Parks of Peace and the Linden Trees as well as a display focusing on the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
1.2 PARKS OF PEACE AND LINDEN TREES OF FRIENDSHIP AS A COMMITMENT FOR THE FUTURE
The linden tree is a central element of connection, both symbolically and practically. From the fruit of these trees, planted world-wide, we will make a tea of friendship, which will be offered at meetings of representatives from different countries. The ritual of drinking tea calms and connects people, as well as gives energy for other joint activities.
We also wish to pass a useful habit according to which the Slovenes have been gathering under the Linden tree for centuries, spent time together, discussed and solved problems, and prevented bigger conflicts. We would be happy if this could happen on a global level and thus prevent an international conflict or war, as well as encourage more joint international projects.
For this reason we wish to create a gathering space under the linden tree, its purpose being the joint creation between nations.
This idea will also be spread through neighbouring countries so that the Slovene Linden tree or Lipa (Tilia) Europea becomes a protocol gift with a long-term commitment, for example when concluding international agreements. The tree would also remind representatives of different nations who planted it to think about good relations, as well as offer a discreet haven for future conversations and cooperation. As you will be able to read further on, the linden tree will be part of the park, which will allow for a meeting ground, joint work and creation with its environs.
1.3 FIRST PARK UNDER CONSTRUCTION, FURTHER PARKS PLANNED
On 1st October 2018, two (on by representatives of North Korea and second by delegation of South Korea) linden trees were planted in Velenje within the project in our growing park of peace and friendship (see attachments) by representatives from North and South Korea.
Delegates of North Korea are Mr. Ryu Kyong Il , who is the director of Europe Department of DPR Korean Committee for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries and Mr. Hong Chol Hak, an employee at the same department.
The delegates of South Korea are dr. Yong Woo Shinn, CEO Korean Youth hostel association, and his wife Myoung Hee Koo.
Such a combination of delegations was established because it is supposed that one of the linden trees of friendship, followed by a park of peace, might be situated in the border economy region between the two Koreas (Kaesong).
The goal here is to construct similar parks with the same message
originating from the name of the project in contributing cities (4 within the
European Union for now, and we are negotiating with the Koreas).
The parks will of course be modified for local
cultural aspects within each city, but they will have at least two common points:
Linden of friendship and Labyrinth.
1.4 SUGGESTED LOOK OF PARK, ITS MESSAGE AND FUNCTIONALITY
1. The final outlook of the parks in individual cities will be designed by an international team of architects and landscapers based on landscape details of individual cities. The central element of each park will be the Linden Tree of Friendship and two mirror walking labyrinths. To speed up the process we will plant the linden tree in areas designated for the parks, as a promise to fulfil the project’s goals as soon as possible and construct the parks, but more importantly establish firm friendship and peace between nations.
The linden tree will be planted before the two mirror labyrinths. In the centre of the labyrinth you will also find the writing www.nomorewars.eu where we will gather anti-war messages, and joint past and future projects connected to the park. When an individual will walk past the linden tree they will be under the impression of one point of view, but after walking the second labyrinth and considering (reading the short messages on the floor) they may be faced with another point of view and hopefully ready to discard stereotypes, fears, negative thoughts, etc.
2. Sitting on the semi-circular bench around the linden tree, an individual might more easily find a solution with others he disagreed with before. Nature usually prompts us to accept different viewpoints and more easily return to an environment that previously bothered us.
3. Natural seats of soft shapes (rocks rounded by rivers) will be placed by the edges of the park and function as a spot for remote meditation, seeing from a distance, and looking into the distance. The grey rocks will represent a memory of the dark past, while the white an encouragement for a bright, joint future.
4. For floor materials we encourage construction to consider using stones, grass and pebbles, which create positive sounds and movement. The walkway might be used as a Kneipp therapy, which has many positive effects on humans. The park’s open plan will invite and enable the fluidity of people and ideas. With a modern base and equipment for the park it will hopefully invite young and old and enable intergenerational gatherings, collaboration, help and exchange of knowledge, experience and energies.
5. The idea of two mirror labyrinths in a physical and metaphorical sense will help nations in conflict to emerge each of their own labyrinth and somewhere in the middle hopefully realize that continuing in their own conflict and labyrinth is not the solution, but that they should find some middle ground.
6. Two mirror labyrinths, a linden tree in the middle and two semi-circular benches, a wi-fi signal amplifier and a solar panel with energy for communication devices will all help focus energies of friendly nations and to the synergy and perpetual circulation of these same energies.
1.5 CURRENT SUCCESS OF PROJECT GUARANTEES FURTHER VICTORIES
1. We have already planted the linden tree in two cities (Doberdob, Udine). We are in negotiations with two other cities, as well as for the parks (Sarajevo, Gornji Senik).
2. Last year, our partner organisation Društvo Slovensko Korejskega prijateljstva has already planted the Maribor Vine plant in both Koreas, and this year they wish to upgrade it with the linden tree, first in Velenje and then some other countries. The event in Korea was broadcast in all major electronic and printed media. These include:
3. A successful and dependable realisation is guaranteed by two organisations in Slovenia. Members of the Slovenian team are chosen not only for their scientific achievements in the area of international relations, but especially because of regular activities they participate in as active diplomats, members of PR teams at Ministries, as well as leading individuals in international organisations.
Our international partners guarantee the cooperation of such individuals. Further proof of this is the fact that the linden tree will be planted in Velenje by two such high representatives from North and South Korea.
1.6 HOW YOU CAN HELP US
Our current project is so ambitious that we need your help. Helping this project would not only show how positive the results of partner collaboration between economic, government and non government organisations can be, but also that, together, we can help our foreign policy to become ambitious and brave and subsequently aid our local projects to become successful both within the country and internationally.
By signing the partnership letter you declare support for our endeavours, that an informal meeting be held by non government officials from all three countries with the express intention of agreeing to the possibility of constructing the joint park of both Koreas post-haste. First, it would be built in Slovenia, and then in the before-mentioned joint economic area – Kaesong.
We would like to emphasise that we do not expect financial support for the project, but in the first place international promotion.
We hope that the friendship between Slovenia and the two Koreas and such activities, will hopefully one day lead to the Korean peninsula being at peace.
An expressed support of state structures for our efforts would equally help our partner organisations in their countries with similar activities, which would contribute to a faster realisation of our goals.
According to the rules of silent diplomacy, such a letter would be taken to both Koreas by our representative, who is not only reliable but also established and acknowledged in both countries.
After we received word that both Koreas have expressed agreement sufficiently high within the government, our activities would then proceed through regular diplomatic channels.
We suggest these procedures because of the theoretical risk regarding the chance of success. But big international victories do not exist without risk and ambition. We can succeed with niche approaches and brave and original international initiatives.
The suggested project can, if realised, place Slovenia on the international map of countries who actively encourage peace and friendship between nations.
2. SUMMARY : PARK OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP
This is an international project the goal of which is to support friendship and peace. Our goal is to build parks of a similar look and message in collaborating cities (4 within the European Union for now, currently negotiating with the Koreas), by introducing a message which originates from the project’s name. The parks will of course adapt to the local specialties of each city, but they will have two focal points: 1 the linden tree of friendship and 2 mirror labyrinths.
The final outlook of the parks will be created by an international team of architects and landscape artists, but to speed the process we will plant the linden trees of friendship in the cities where future parks will be built, as a promise to speedily bring about the project’s goals, build the parks and, most importantly, establish friendship and peace between nations.
The linden tree is a central connecting element both as a symbolic and practical meaning. From the seeds of the trees across the world we will eventually create a tea of friendship, which will then be offered during meetings of representatives from different countries. Drinking tea helps calm the mind, brings people together and gives energy for new joint activities.
We also wish to transmit a story and habit of the Slovene people, as throughout our history there have been gatherings under the linden tree, discussions, problem-solving, preventions of larger conflicts, etc. We would be happy if this could perhaps be replicated someday on a global scale and thus perhaps prevent a large-scale international conflict or war. If more joint international projects also saw the light of day as a result, this would be an added benefit.
For this reason we wish to fashion a place of meeting and joint
creation of nations under the linden tree.
The linden tree will be planted in front of
both the mirrored labyrinths.
Passing it you see one view and then through
walking the labyrinth and thinking (while reading the short messages inlaid in
the floor) and the second, mirror labyrinth allows you to see a different view,
perhaps to discard stereotypes, fears, negative thoughts, etc.
In the middle of the labyrinth there will also
be the sign: www.nomorewars.eu where we will gather anti-war messages, joint past and future
projects connected to the word ‘parks’, etc.
1.Sitting on a bench in the shade of the linden tree it would perhaps be easier to find solutions by working with individuals you disagreed with before, the walk perhaps inspiring you to accept different viewpoints and to more easily return to an environment which was previously irritating.
2.Natural, softly-shaped seats (for example rocks shaped by rivers) placed at the edges of the park are areas for thinking, looking at things from a distance, height, seeing ahead; the grey stones remind us of the dark past, while the white stones encourage a bright joint future.
3.In terms of materials we suggest considering the use of stones, grass and pebbles which create positive sounds and movements. They are also used in Kneipp therapies and have a number of positive effects. 5.The idea of two mirror labyrinths in a physical and translated meaning helps arguing nations to cross their own labyrinth and in the middle hopefully realise that continuing the conflict is not the right way but that they should try and find common ground.
4.Two mirror labyrinths, a linden tree and two half-moon benches, a wi-fi spot and a solar panel to boost communication devices will aid the process of joining the energies of friendly nations and a synergic and continuous circulation of those energies.
3. GRAPHICAL PRESENTATION OF THE PROJECT
3.1
Single park of peace and friendship (conceptual design Poles Rok)
3.2
3.3 dimensional view of the conceptual design (Uroš Ivančič and Cvikl Urška)
3.4 Ground plan, memorial park for three wars (Uroš Ivančič in Cvikl Urška)
3.5 Mini park of peace with Kneipp therapy energy points
4.0 HALFWAY GOALS AND AREAS WHERE YOU MAY ACTIVELY JOIN THE PROJECT:
- DISPLAY ON WORLD WARS
Executing as many displays with anti-war themes, with which we wish to warn, educate and contribute to preventing the repetition of these sad war stories! The display includes:
-VIDEO–PHOTO PRESENTATION of stories by soldiers from Italy, Bosnia, Slovenia and Hungary We want to inform young people that our distant relatives died too, that one lost soldier represents much greater loss than in a combat game, because he stands for: one family less, one worker and tax payer less. The film will also present
- facts connected to the absurdity of warfare
- messages of young people connected to xenophobia, racism and other factors leading to conflict and war
- messages and doctrines such as: let us gather, converse, collaborate
We also wish to warn of the traps of xenophobia and racism.
– PHOTO DISPLAY OF PEACE GRAFFITY (on buildings and tanks) as well as photos of people of different nationalities showing the Peace sign with their fingers.
2 ARTWORK BASED ON THE THEME OF PEACE There will soon be an international competition for a triptych painting: religion in all three wars.
3. On this website we are preparing a presentation of short Twitter thoughts, essays and poems with the message ‘Nomorewars’.
4. A MOBILE PHONE APPLICATION is in development: DON’T COMPETE – INVITE YOUR FRIENDS, ASSEMBLE A TEAM AND DO SPORTS
5. A COMPUTER GAME IS IN THE MAKING (initially an animation)which will inform young people of the absurdity of warfare and many advantages of collaboration.
6. A THREE LEVEL QUIZ IS IN THE MAKING WITH THE PURPOSE OF LEARNING BASIC FACTS OF WAR
7. YOU CAN JOIN THE PROJECT FOOTBALL AND ART, AS A PARTNER IN ART ACTIVITIES OR AS A FOOTBALL TEAM
8. PARK OF PEACE AND FRIENDSHIP
The planted trees are only the beginning, as we will place benches and small memorials reminding us of the negatives regarding war and such positive civilisation changes which happened afterwards around them. The park will also have room for past memorials or so-called “fallen memorials”, functionaries from past times. We do not wish to erase anyone from history. But using modern technology, we will give visitors a chance to access professional resources which introduce historic individuals as neutrally as possible, by presenting their positive attributes and their mistakes. This is why we support memorials in our parks which will have both + and – signs, by which we mean to say that, to be objective, one has to hear both arguments for and against.
In some places this might be a project for the distant future. But even in Russia’s Gorky Park (Fallen Monument Park) they have displayed memorials for former communist leaders in such a way, which proves this is not Utopia, but doable. Nature also teaches us: the old always makes room for the new. This does not mean we should replace old monuments with active political personalities, but that non-monumental urban content which is closer to young people should also be represented. We believe that we should not hide old monuments but find them a proper place and speak of them from an appropriate historic distance! The intention here is to learn something from history and actively strive for peace and friendship based on that knowledge.
9. Football and peace grassroot 2019-23 (Project proposal to Slovenian national football Association(later NZS)) and the project Football and Peace, are two projects with which we wish to promote collaboration between nations through football, prevent xenophobia and racism and other negative connotations.
10. WOULD YOU LIKE A LINDEN TREE OF FRIENDSHIP IN YOUR CITY, AND WISH TO KNOW ITS PURPOSE?
In the end, we would like to invite everyone to join our project of planting linden trees, which has a deeper purpose. With the tree as a symbol for gathering we wish to encourage young people to seek new ideas in nature, under the trees, and to meet other young people of different nationalities. It is when you meet your neighbour that you learn there is no reason for xenophobia and racism, but that it is possible to work with and be friends with a stranger. This is why, in subsequent phases, we will establish wi-fi amplifiers, solar panels and benches around the trees, and communicate to young people that, like their ancestors gathered, conversed and solved conflicts under the linden trees, so too can they make plans for future joint projects. Be an initiator, so that we will plant a linden tree of friendship in your city and organise one of the activities mentioned in this document! We will be happy if you continue to follow and support us on our web pages: www.nomorewars.eu I https://www.facebook.com/pdkazipot
5.0 INTRODUCTION AND HISTORY OF POČITNIŠKO DRUŠTVO KAŽIPOT
Počitniško društvo Kažipot from Velenje is a non-profit sport organisation with more than 65 (since 1953) years of tradition in organising youth activities. Our members organise also activities for non-members and other public event and activities. We help young people spend time together and organise different projects, both local and international. In recent years, we are particularly active in the field of sports. Money for the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Association was devoted to the construction of the Association’s volleyball courts (and courts for Tenis on send) and football (hat trick court), which will facilitate the free recreation,local sport courses, for members and those socially disadvantaged, who otherwise cannot afford recreation.At first our association organised only international youth exchanges, but later we added a variety of other youth activities.ver the course of the years we have participated in many international projects across Europe, as we have a wide-spread net of partner organisations.By participating in these events we learned about life, culture and environment of our peers, and last but definitely not least we had (and still have) the oppurtunity to learn and improve our knowledge of foreign languages.Organising international projects became easier with the arrival of a programme called Erasmus in Slovenia and later when Slovenia joined the European Union, therefore our association organised the first project for the programme Youth – Young for Europe in 2000. Today, we have more than 10 partner organisations spread almost all the way across European Union, and we devote a lot of patience and time to spreading our connections mainly to freshly-joined countries.Locally our work does not entail only the international, but we also participate on a local and regional basis with many projects that include youth. During these projects we try to cooperate with other associations in Velenje and Slovenia, because we believe that the best results are achieved by working together. Mladinski svet Velenje (Youth world Velenje), was co-founded by our association and with a help of our members. Mobilisation and youth one of the most important goals of our association is enabling young people better (cheaeper) mobility in the forming European area. Along with the previously-mentioned ways, we offer cooperation with the AU PAIR programmes, and we also help young people with their first individual travels abroad. This is done by a team of experienced travellers who are always there to offer advice or helpful information. Young travellers are able to browse through our mini-library which consists of books, magazines, handbooks, a register of travelling books and a factual collection with a lot of information. To enable cheap travelling, our association sells discount cards (IYHF, ISIC…) which allow young travellers to get discounts in Slovenia, Europe… Informal education. Another important organisations activity is caring for our members informal education. We enable participation in courses on youth management, linguistical courses … at home and abroad. At the same time we ask that they relate their knowledge to other youth leaders upon their return, and that they use it during a project. One of the ways of informal education is to allow young people to participate in all activities our association has to offer. We follow a gradual pattern and also make sure that more experienced leaders guide and prepare younger ones for undertaking more importan tasks. All above-described serves to raise young people into strong personalities, who will be able to give themselves and others a kinder life. Our successful attempts were confirmed by the Municipal office of Velenje (MO Velenje), and Republic of Slovenia which granted us the (position of)Title: An association that works for public benefit.
