AN OPEN-AIR INTERFAITH CATHEDRAL OF OUR COMMON HUMANITY
A Prayerful Reflection: Kanwal Prakash “KP” Singh
SETTING: Picture perfect! The 2019 Indy Festival of Faith enjoyed the beautiful blue Indiana skies and at the Veterans Memorial Plaza in Downtown Indianapolis. The Festival attracted 65 faith, culture, education-related, and commercial booths and four area ethnic food Restaurant.
SPIRIT: True to the Festival Theme of “Embracing Religious Diversity,” a joyful spirit radiated across the entire space and all afternoon. The Festival was culturally and spiritually diverse, family-friendly and multi-generations with an abundance of ethnic pride and many in their traditional native dresses; people shared invitations and opportunities for learning and fellowship. High school and college student interviewed faith leaders for class projects. Everyone accorded respect to faith traditions different from than their own and we discovered that there is much that we share in common.
HIGHLIGHTS: The Youth Forum in the War Memorial on current topics; the ever-popular Bongo Boy Drum circle; The Procession of Faith led by Boy Scouts, Opening Ceremony and brief prayers.
The Sacred Arts from the Main Stage: The Klezmets; Jain Tradition; magnificent classical Indian dancers from the Nritanjali Dance School and Nrityangan Kathak Academy; Uyghurs Culture Troupe; Celtic Rain; Sacred music by Sikh Ragis - Sikh Satsang; Choir - Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Indianapolis Opera Resident Artists; Meditation and Mindful Listening; and several others. A printed Program offered details of the uplifting beautiful presentations.
Thoughtful support of the theme and spirit of Festival of Faiths by Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett.
Here is a comment from an internationally-acclaimed singer and dancer, Anita Lerche, who has performed at this Festival in the past: “Festival of Faiths is colorful in all aspects and showcases the beautiful diversity of Indianapolis in a very welcoming way. I always love the variety of music, the friendly atmosphere and the many booths representing different faiths.”
FESTIVAL VISION AND PRAYERFUL HOPE: The faiths give meaning and definition to our values and spirit and motivate us to put them to work. Now, imagine the collective energy! This Festival and our faith communities represent much untapped potential - shared projects and services, pooling resources and supporting worthy causes in our City and State.
FRIENDS AND SPONSORS: Festival Sponsor - Center for Interfaith Cooperation; Lilly; Community Health Network; PNC; Archdiocese of Indianapolis; Sikh Satsang of Indianapolis; Jewish Community; Hindu Temple of Central Indiana; St. Vincent-Ascension; Indiana Interchurch Center; Jain Center of Central Indiana; and others. All 2,000 friends who attended the Indy Festival of Faiths.
The photos above provide a glimpse of the Festival: displays, the sacred arts, activities and festivities, friendships and fun.
~ KP Singh
– Indianapolis, Indiana
USA –September 22, 2019.
