“Bells for
Peace” Ring on Christmas Eve for All the World to “Sleep in Heavenly Peace”
Soldiers
in World War I impulsively laid down their weapons and sang carols together on
the battlefield 100 years ago this Christmas Eve, December 24, 1914. In memory
of this famous “Christmas Truce,” and in honor of those seeking peace
throughout the world, the bells of University
Circle’s carillon will join a global musical event by playing the carol
best known to English- and German-speaking troops a century ago, “Silent Night,” this Christmas Eve, December 24, 2014, at 7:14 p.m. EST, or 19:14
in military time. The McGaffin Carillon is located at 11205 Euclid Avenue, in the block between Severance Hall and MOCA
Cleveland.
All
are invited to bundle up and listen to this playing of the carol from the Church
of the Covenant lawn and parking area or the University Hospitals Seidman
Cancer Center Healing Garden across the street. Members of the Church of the
Covenant Choir will lead singing of the carol afterward. From 7:30 to 8 p.m.,
University Circle Carillonneur George Leggiero will play a recital of other
carols mentioned in soldiers’ diaries and letters about the experience. Cookies and cocoa will be provided between 7 and 8 p.m.
This
is part of the project “Bells for Peace,” in which carillons throughout Europe,
North America, Australia, and elsewhere will play “Silent Night” at 19:14 in
their time zones. Leggiero’s 7:30 p.m. recital precedes an 8 p.m. prelude and
carol sing and 8:30 p.m. candlelight service at the Church of the Covenant.
The
Christmas Truce involved vast portions of the war’s Western Front, including
German troops with British, French, and Belgians. Soldiers on both sides
observed an impromtu ceasefire, tentatively emerging from their trenches,
singing carols, trading gifts from their care packages, and wishing one another
well in the other’s language as best they could, with at least one Christmas day
makeshift soccer game documented. Bells for Peace is part of the larger
Christmas Truce and Flanders Peace Field Project, whose center is the little
city of Messines, Belgium, near where a soccer game took place.
Friends
of the McGaffin Carillon has recently been formed to fully restore and expand
the activities of this unique true cast-bell carillon within the City of
Cleveland.
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More about The Christmas Truce
Christmas Truce
Wikipedia article about the history and background of the truce and activities that took place on Christmas Eve 1914 along the front
Christmas Truce Commemoration Program
Since August there have been commemorations along the former front lines including the dedication of the Flanders Peace Field and "Peace Games" remembering the informal soccer matches between the troops as well as concerts and educational programs.On December 6 there will be a Goodwill Gathering convened by Desmond Tutu.
Statement by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
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More about The Christmas Truce
Christmas Truce
Wikipedia article about the history and background of the truce and activities that took place on Christmas Eve 1914 along the front
Christmas Truce Commemoration Program
Since August there have been commemorations along the former front lines including the dedication of the Flanders Peace Field and "Peace Games" remembering the informal soccer matches between the troops as well as concerts and educational programs.On December 6 there will be a Goodwill Gathering convened by Desmond Tutu.
Statement by Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Patron of the Christmas Truce and Flanders Peace Field Initiative. 4 February 2013
An Education pack created by The British Council and several UK Football Leagues.
A
group of students watch actors reenact the first world war Christmas
truce in this video resource designed for use in secondary history
lessons.
Costumed actors dramatize the truce that took place between British and
German troops in 1914 on the battlefields of Ypres in Belgium.