Dearest friends,
I get many requests from many of you wanting to know about the celebrations of Jean's coming back home and I thought that the best way to inform you all without the danger of missing someone would be through this newsletter.
Jean will be in the Ottawa-Gatineau area from October 1st to the 7th. Then, between the 8 till the 15, he will walk from Gatineau to Laval and finally enter the Island of Montreal on October 16 to walk to the finishing line: Montreal City Hall.
As the details of the agenda are not yet confirmed we will post them on the website as soon as they become available. So be sure to regularly check the LATEST NEWS if you don't want to miss out on the "glorious achievement" of my dearest Walker.
Happy birthday!
August 18, 2011: Jean is 56 years old, the wwwalk is 11 years old, there are 59 days left before both (Jean and the wwwalk) reach Montreal and Home.
This year, this event is celebrated in an exceptional way. Jean is deeply honoured to be the guest of the Serpent River First Nation. Chief Isadore Day and his people have welcomed the Walker with much kindness and everyone is making sure that he will remember this very special day.
After an excellent meal with the Community, Jean is offered a beautiful blanket as a souvenir. A few footprints will remind him always of his passage through Serpent River.
Then, it is his turn to have his feet made ready to leave his mark on the mural of the Community Hall.
The festivities are ended with Chief Isadore Day and Jean having a short conversation on Peace.
Toronto!
Jean arrived in Toronto on September 6, two days ahead of schedule. He has been meeting with friends and relaxing, giving a few interviews to the media.
Friday, the 9, he is meeting children at the Sick Children's Hospital. Nothing formal, only a friendly gathering.
On Saturday, the 10th he will enjoy himself at an Arts and Music Festival in Kensington Market.
On Sunday, September 11th, there will be a panel of speakers from 1 - 2 pm at Friends House followed by a walk through downtown from 2 - 4. The panel will focus on building a culture of peace through the UN Manifesto 2000 themes, which are:
Respect All Life
Reject Violence
Share With Others
Listen to Understand
Preserve the Planet
Rediscover Solidarity
The featured speaker is Jean Beliveau who has been walking around the world for peace for 11 years - during the UN Decade for building a culture of peace and nonviolence for the children of the world.
On Monday 12, Jean will leave Toronto toward Pickering and then onward to Ottawa.
One month to go!
First, Jean wishes to express his gratitude for the many kind wishes he received for his birthday and that, from friends from all over the planet. Unfortunately he was not able to reply to everyone but rest assured that each and every one of these wishes is engraved in his heart.
Many thanks also to the people of the Toronto Chapter of CDPI who have made his stay in the Queen City so enjoyable.
Now on his way to Ottawa, Jean is getting more and more light-footed! The task is almost over... Members of CDPI who are kindly looking for his accommodation and the events he will attend to are expecting him eagerly in the National Capital where he should arrive in exactly 2 weeks.
What is 30 days compared to 11 years and 2 months?
The answer is 0,7358% Wow! Less than one percent before my favourite walker arrives home! My joy knows no bound!
The National Capital
Less than 3 weeks before home, Jean enters Ottawa, City of Peace where he is eagerly expected and where volunteers have been working hard looking for accommodations for the Walker as well as setting activities and events to celebrate his passing through the City.
The main event is for sure the 2011 PATH-OF-PEACE-WALK held on October 1st and everyone is invited to join the annual Friends for Peace event, taking place at City Hall where Jean will have the honour to receive a Peace Award from Mayor Watson.
Then, on Monday October 3rd, Senators and Parliamentarians are encouraged to join in peace at 11:00 beside the Centennial Peace Flame to recognize International Day of Nonviolence and also to enter the final stage of the 2011 Path of Peace walk that will take place from Parliament Hill to Gatineau City Hall to celebrate Jean's arrival in his home province of Québec!
Till next time...
Luce