Schengen Plants Peace Pole – Germany

September 12th, 2013

A very bold move took place in 1985 when the Schengen Agreement was signed near the town of Schengen in Luxembourg.  Soon after border checks and visa requirements were abolished between the three bordering countries of Luxembourg, France and Germany.  The spirit of Schengen demonstrated that once waring nations can live in peace and harmony.  .  The agreement served as a model for the European Union with many countries worldwide looking to Schengen for inspiration to this day.

In the Spirit of Schengen, the municipality of Schengen and the Schengen European Center funded by the European Union organized a Peace Pole dedication ceremony on September 12th, 2013.  The event was attended by Ben Homan, Mayor of Schengen, Minister of Culture, Octavie Modert and Martine Hansen, Minister for Higher Education and Science.  The event was especially blessed by the presence of Ms. Masami Saionji, Chairperson of the World Peace Prayer Society who flew in from Japan for this occasion.

While the Anthem of the European Union played in the background, over 100 children from the Schengen Lyceum in Perl, Germany marched into the European Plaza carrying the flags of the world to commence the ceremony.  Speeches by government dignitaries were followed by words of Mrs Saionji who then joined the dignitaries to unveil the six sided Peace Pole.

To close the ceremony, Dagmar Berkenberg led the children and guest in the Flag Ceremony until peace was sent out to each nation of world humanity.   All participants enthusiastically joined in by repeating the universal message of peace, May Peace Prevail On Earth, sending out heartfelt wishes for peace on earth from the heart center of the town of Schengen.