Exeter Women’s Day peace project has international impact

By PRSD, on Tuesday, March 3, 2009

A wall-hanging by Israeli and Palestinian women who came to together to urge peace in Gaza has been specially made for Exeter’s part in International Women’s Day, which takes place on Sunday, March 8.

It was brought back from Gaza to Devon by Dr Suaad George, Palestinian women’s rights activist, chair of the Devon Racial Equality Council and friend to the People’s Republic of South Devon.

The wall-hanging, along with other designs made by women for the event, which have been sewn together to create banners, will be carried around Exeter during the Walk for Peace on International Women’s Day.

Last winter Nicci Wonnacott, resident art lecturer at the Exeter Phoenix, appealed for women to to design their own symbol of peace on a white square of cotton using embroidery, appliqué or other textile techniques.

The venue was inundated with work sent in from individual women and women’s groups from all over the world. In the run up to the walk, teams of volunteers have worked round the clock for days sewing the work together to form banners.

The Walk for Peace gets off the blocks at noon on Sunday, March 8. Here are more details and for the goings on at the Exeter Phoenix.

International Women’s Day Walk for Peace
Sunday, March 8, noon (assemble at 11.45am), FREE, Bedford Square, Exeter’s City Centre
Walk for Peace, starting at noon in Bedford Square and ending at Exeter Phoenix. A number of banners will be carried, created from the textile peace panels produced as part of Exeter Phoenix’s ongoing Sewing For Peace project, launched in November 2008. Women are encouraged to wear the official International Women’s day colours of dark green, purple and white on the day.

International Women’s Day Fair
Sunday, March 8, 1-4pm, FREE, Exeter Phoenix, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS
An International Women’s Day fair with information stands and international craft stalls, children’s activities and refreshments.

International Women’s Day Live Performance Schedule
Sunday, March 8, 2-4pm, FREE, Exeter Phoenix, Bradninch Place, Gandy Street, Exeter EX4 3LS
Exeter Phoenix’s Black Box studio will be presenting an exciting programme of International Women’s Day themed performance, poetry, music and sketches throughout the afternoon.

International Women’s Day Live Evening Benefit Concert for Exeter Women’s Aid
Sunday, March 8, 8pm, £6/£5, Exeter Phoenix, main auditorium, Box Office 01392 667 080
A chance to see Devon’s finest female stars in the rising together on one bill: Nuala and the Alchemy Quartet, Rebecca Worthley, Rosa Rebecka, Hollie Rogers, Laura Dugmore and Jackie Oates (2009 BBC Folk Award Winner). All artists have agreed to perform for free and all profits from the night go to Exeter Women’s Aid.

International Women’s Day Live on Phonic FM
Sunday, March 8, 10am-10pm, listen live on 106.8 FM (Exeter area) or via www.phonic.fm
The female DJs of PhonicFM join forces for an all-day programme of music by female artists from all over the world, plus interviews and discussions.

• If you’ve got more events going on in the region, get in touch

posted by Cptn