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VIDEO: Global Peace Alliance Festival in Surrey focuses on ending racism

The festival took place on Oct. 1 at the Bell Performing Arts Centre

The Global Peace Alliance Festival took place on Oct. 4 at the Bell Performing Arts Centre in Surrey.

The festival is organized by the Global Peace Alliance’s BC Society. Every year, except during the pandemic, the society holds a peace festival with multicultural performers.

Global Peace Alliance BC Society was created 10 years ago by community members in Surrey.

Niovi Patsicakis, the president of the BC Society, said this year’s festival was not only on the International Day of Peace –which was on Sept. 21 – but also on truth and reconciliation.

This year’s festival included an artist contest, performances, presentations and panels.

The focus of the panel was on “END Racism. Build Peace.” Panelists focused on racism and the steps we can take to fight it.

The panel was moderated by Anna Ohana, Peter Prontzos, Troy Derrick, and Lorene Oikawa.

(Editor’s note: A previous version of this story incorrectly spelled Oikawa’s name)



anna.burns@surreynowleader.com

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Anna Burns

About the Author: Anna Burns

I started with Black Press Media in the fall of 2022 as a multimedia journalist after finishing my practicum at the Surrey Now-Leader.
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