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12.
June
2017.
Celebrating a World in London: Embracing Diversity, Welcoming Peace

Embargoed: Not for release until 9am 10thJune 2017

 

 

Celebrating a World in London: Embracing Diversity, Welcoming Peace

9thJune 2017, The Tabernacle, Powis Square, Notting Hill London

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An extraordinary celebration of life, diversity, culture and music took place last night at the Notting Hill Tabernacle. Celebrate Life Events (CLE), which, forthe past four years, has organised multicultural events with themes such as Peace, Love and Life, teamed up with DJ Ritu to host a celebration of London's diverse artistic and cultural community.

Wendy Lewis Reif, artist, singer and documentary film maker gathers interview footage, creating a rich pool of personal tales, where hope and trust in the human spirit overcomes conflict and adversity. Helena Brown - team treasure - holds the groups purse strings and ensures a little goes a long way.

"It's a celebration with a serious message" said CLE team member, Wallee McDonnell, today. "With the rise in hate crime in recent weeks, now is the time to recognise the value of peace and diversity. At its heart London is a vibrant and welcoming multi-cultural community. We want to celebrate that. This is a team effort, where artists co-create the events and I particularly want to thank our keynote speaker, Prem Rawat, for making the time to meet with us and address the audience. His inspiration has been core to making this happen."

Each event contains a message of peace, togetherness and humanity.Roni Redmond, CLE team member hosted the ‘meet and greet' discussion with Prem Rawat and participants from across the London community, including police representatives, former prison inmates, the Tutu Foundation UK, Church and refugee group members.

"Prem's words are genuinely valued by our audience," said Roni. "He's an internationally acclaimed speaker and ambassador for peace as well as a photographer and musician himself. A regular visitor to London, most importantly Prem brings a global perspective to this London celebration of diversity and peace."

The event's title, ‘A World in London' was inspired by DJ Ritu, event MC, who has introduced BBC listeners to a wealth of new talent over the years.

Patrice Shema, Chairman of the Rwandan Community Association in London, presented keynote speaker Prem Rawat with an "agaseke" or peace basket.

"The peace basket is a symbol of peace and prosperity every Rwandan home," Patrice explained. "Made by the women, it represents unity within the home and within communities. At important ceremonies like today, the peace basket is given as a gift to ensure abundance.  It is normally filled with grains from the harvest to show the importance of hospitality and generosity between people and communities and how peace is the important step that can lead to prosperity for everyone."

For future events follow CLE onwww.celebrate-life.co.uk; Twitter @CelebLM and Instagram celeblm.

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Celebrate LIfe logo

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Agaseke Peace Basket
 

ENDS
 

Notes to Editors

Keywords: Peace, Diversity, Celebrate Life Events, World Music, Prem Rawat, DJ Ritu

The CLE team can be reached for interview via Wallee Mcdonnell: walleemcd@yahoo.co.uk

Venue

The Tabernacle is a Grade II*-listed building in Powis Square, Notting Hill, west London, built in 1887 as a church in an area that has welcomed people of many cultures since the 1900s.

http://www.tabernaclew11.com

DJ Ritu

DJ Ritu was born in east London and began her career as a pop music expert in 1986. In the 1990s she co-founded Outcaste Records, signing Nitin Sawhney and Badmarsh & Shri. During this period she formed two bands,  the Asian Equation and Sister India, for whom she mixed cool Asian Underground vibes with trip-hop, drum & bass and techno.

http://www.djritu.com/

Prem Rawat

An internationally acclaimed speaker and ambassador for peace (as well as a pilot and musician), he has clocked millions of miles in worldwide travel, and brings a uniquely universal and global perspective to his message and his photographic work.

His "Trice" series has been exhibited in Japan, Kuala Lumpur, and Australia. His current London exhibit at the Herrick Gallery (12 - 24 June 2017)marks the first showing of the "Timeless" series.

www.premrawat.com

www.herrickgallery.com/prem-rawat-1

Celebrate Life Events

Each event is a celebration with heartfelt and inspiring performances from artists and musicians across the UK.The CLE Team collaborate with artists, communities and groups for multi-cultural music events which also contain dance, spoken word, film, storytelling and art.

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateLifeEvents

Twitter: CelebLM

Instagram: CelebLM

Website:http://www.celebrate-life.co.uk/