Peace Pole to Be Planted at New PBS Center

As part of a September 11 Commemoration at the PBS39 Public Media and Education Center Plaza at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, a World Peace Flag Ceremony and Peace Pole dedication will be held Sunday from 3:30 to 5pm, PBS39 has announced.

According to a press release issued by the public television station, the event will celebrate "11 Days of Global Unity" with prayers for peace, speakers and music, and is part of the grand opening of the station's new headquarters at 839 Sesame Street on the SteelStacks campus in South Bethlehem.

The World Peace Flag Ceremony will feature a display of flags from every nation, and will conclude with the planting of a permanent Peace Pole in front of the PBS39 building.

Bearing the message "May Peace Prevail On Earth" in various languages, the pole has become a recognized symbol of the international peace movement.

"It is estimated that there are more than 200,000 Peace Poles that have been dedicated in nearly every country on Earth," the release stated.

In addition to marking the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, "11 Days of Global Unity" is encouraging participation in the United Nations International Day of Peace on Sept. 21.

The ceremony at PBS39 will also include remarks by the Hon. Anwarul Chowdhury, a former UN undersecretary and international peace ambassador, and musical performances by Robbi Kumalo and Jackie Tice, who recently performed at Musikfest 2011.

Organizers hope that the ceremony "will be a respectful and uplifting experience for individuals, families and our community," the release said.

For more information about PBS39, visit www.pbs39atsteelstacks.org.