|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Issue: 1120 Date: 2/9/2012
Become A Fan, Like St. Louis Chinese American News
|
|
Republic Day Celebration Evokes Gandhi and Kings Message of Love
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
ST. LOUIS- On Sunday, January 29 at 10:00 a.m. the auditorium at Ladue Middle School was almost at capacity with families from BAL Vihar and youth performers with Gitana Production's tour of Living the Dream. The occasion was to celebrate Republic Day but one could not help but feel the blessings of Mohandas Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King.
After a magnificent opening ceremony, an ensemble of actors and dancers composed of African American, Mexican, Ethiopian, and Caucasian youth performed to both Indian and American music telling stories about everyday life where choices are made by youth to either love or hate one another. The scenes provided opportunities to teach the principles of Gandhi and Dr. King as they apply to situations in the home, at school and within the community. The actors gave tribute to Gandhi and King pointing out that "we must make the change of a better world." They spoke of the violence around the world and repeated those words with heartfelt conviction. Based on the many ovations and the engagement of the children in the audience who laughed and responded to the prompts from the stage the play was enjoyed immensely.
Bal Vihar is a nonprofit organization that provides Indian cultural education to students age 5-18. Students are taught discipline, tolerance, and devotion in their daily routine. The ultimate goal is "to throw the light of cultural knowledge on every child, to make every child an outstanding citizen and to spread the song of peace and harmony around the world."
Gitana Productions is a nonprofit arts and education organization that uses music, dance and drama as vehicles for global healing. Gitana produces international events featuring artists from around the world as well as theatrical performances that provide greater understanding of humanitarian and cross-cultural issues. They conduct a community arts program, Global Education through the Arts that serves at-risk youth who are African American and refugees from nine different countries.
Both organizations look forward to continued collaboration. Gandhi and King could not be more thrilled! |
|
 |
|
|
|
