“Let the seeds of peace begin here and spread around the world.”
The motto of the International Peace Garden Foundation was repeated over and over as Daemen University dedicated its new honorary peace garden and unveiled Ringo Starr’s ‘Peace & Love’ statue in the Saffrin Public Square on Wednesday.
“Our new peace garden celebrates peace around the world,” said Daemen President Gary A. Olson. “I think it’s especially appropriate that the university affirms its commitment to peace at this moment in history as the world plunges into several incredibly horrific conflicts. Let’s hope the movement to celebrate peace picks up unstoppable momentum.”
In the center of the garden stands the 8-foot tall ‘Peace & Love’ statue made from an actual casting of Ringo’s right hand making the peace sign. It’s one of just a few of the structures approved by the iconic Beatles drummer.
“This fulfills a dream I had and fulfilling Ringo’s dream, which was bringing the first hand here to Buffalo,” added Gary Astridge, who manages the Peace & Love initiative. “Being a Buffalonian, it just makes me very proud.”
The sculpture was donated by the chairman of the Daemen University Board of Trustees, John Yurtchuk, and his wife, Carolyn.
“As we were planning the quad, we thought, what better place to put this symbol and message of peace and love than in front of the Daemen community,” Yurtchuk said.
The Honorary International Peace Garden at Daemen University is linked to peace gardens across 22 countries on five continents. It has also been added to the Peace Garden Trail that runs across New York State.
“This trail initiative began in 2010 to mark the Bicentennial of the War of 1812,” said Paula Savage, the founder and president of the International Peace Garden Foundation. “Today, the trail has been rebranded to include not only War of 1812 historical sites but also gardens of significance that represent world peace. Daemen University is the first such garden to join this trail. It represents a place of peace and solace that can be enjoyed by students and visitors alike. What better way to deliver our message of peace and world harmony than to collaborate with Ringo’s Peace & Love Initiative.”
Astridge added, “When Ringo saw a picture of the statue in the peace garden, he simply said, ‘Lovely. This is beautiful!’”