Report by Ms. Lorena Schlicht, Mayors for Peace France (AFCDRP)
On the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Peace, the town of Varennes-Vauzelles held its second tree-planting ceremony on the Peace Esplanade. Following the Ginkgo Biloba gifted last year by Mayors for Peace France and the City of Malakoff, this year, the local Botanic stores donated an olive tree, whose branches symbolize peace. In the presence of Mayor Olivier Sicot, Varennes-Vauzelles’ two young peace ambassadors, Anaïs and Meïssa, municipal council members, and high-level athletes including Laura Ruiz, junior world champion in two-seater canoeing, her sister Clara, and four professional players from USON Nevers, a rugby team competing in France’s second division (Antunaisa Manu from Tonga, Ilia Kaikatsishvilli from Georgia, Jason Fraser from South Africa, and Yohan Le Bourhis from France), the town’s brass band celebrated peace with a musical performance before the olive tree was symbolically planted at the center of the Peace Esplanade.
The day concluded with a “glass of peace” offered by the town, featuring Japanese flavors. Two video
testimonials were also shown: one from Dany Makamata, French karate champion, and the other from Ryadh Sallem, a member of the French wheelchair rugby team. Varennes-Vauzelles celebrated peace with its champions in this Olympic year.
Photos: courtesy of Mayors for Peace France