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Make a Halo of Peace Above Canberra with A Chorus of Women
April 24 @ 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm
Free
“Join us for our annual vigil for peace atop Mt Ainslie, which is also once again included in the ACT Heritage Festival.”
From A Chorus of Women
“Join us for our annual vigil for peace atop Mt Ainslie, which is also once again included in the ACT Heritage Festival.
This year will be the 14th Anzac Eve Peace Vigil and possibly the last in this venue and format (SEE BELOW).
For the past two years, since the Australian War Memorial began its building works, we have not walked down the mountain, but stayed on top benefitting from the wonderful wheelchair access circular path which takes us from where we gather and begin the ceremony on the upper level down to the Marion Mahoney Griffith lookout on the lower level, and back up again when we conclude in silence.
Our ethos and a new ceremony for 2024: Sharing grief – breaking bread
Every year, we are mindful of the impacts of all wars in the world. This year brings new and unimaginable horrors from the Middle East and we recommit to our purpose:
We will gather as night falls to reflect on all those who have been, or are being, impacted by armed conflicts, on our shores and beyond.
We will stand vigil on the steadfast reliability of Mt Ainslie, overlooking our city and in close proximity to the Australian War Memorial.
We will welcome all comers and join together in the breadth of our diversity, to connect with each other in our shared humanity.
We will mindfully share our individual and collective longings for enduring peace.
In the darkness we will kindle our fire and the light of our lanterns.
We will share grief and, in a new ceremony this year, share bread together as a symbol of our common humanity, noting the common practice of sharing bread across all cultures and faith traditions.
We will sing up peace.
Download the Event Flyer
IMPORTANT: The future of the Anzac Eve Vigil – please fill out our survey
The Anzac Eve Peace Vigil has been recognised by the ACT Government as a significant event in the ACT calendar, adding a respectfully different and important opportunity to participate in the Anzac season.
While Mt Ainslie is a very beautiful and poignant venue for the event, it presents some considerable challenges to organisers – including in relation to growing the event for participation by larger numbers of Canberrans.
With assistance from the ACT Heritage Department, A Chorus of Women is currently looking into alternative venues, and also seeking expressions of interest from other organisations and individuals to co-manage future events.
To assist us we invite you to complete this short survey
Please complete the survey whether or not you are intending to attend the vigil this year. We would love to hear from you if you have attended any of the previous vigils.”