Peace comes from within, says art exhibition

Wise words on placards and children's art fill the foyer of the Marlborough Civic Theatre.

Building A Culture Of Peace For The Children Of The World is officially open at the theatre. The exhibition was last shown in Parliament and before that it was displayed at Victoria University in Wellington.

It was brought from overseas by the Buddhist group, Soka Gakkai International New Zealand. Soka Gakkai spokesman Jimi Wallace said the group was an organisation which promoted peace culture and education based on humanism.

"The economic, social, mental and spiritual cost of our culture of violence is crippling.

"Promoting a Culture of Peace is challenging. It's not something we can tell or force someone else to do, it's something each of has to do within ourself."

Exhibition organiser Caroline Harvey said the opening night was terrific.

"It's the start of what I hope will be a very productive stay for the exhibition in Marlborough.

"Support from Andrew Scott (Marlborough Civic Theatre chief executive) and his vision to put the exhibition in the foyer was essential," she said.

Mayor Alistair Sowman and director Gavin Richards were among the guest speakers and the Bohally Kapa Haka group performed.

Mr Sowman said he was part of a Mayors for Peace group, an international network of more than 1500 cities who aim to eliminate all nuclear weapons by 2020. Building a Culture of Peace for the Children of the World is on display until August 8. Entry is free.