Film #1 – The Scandinavian Cultural Center Council at PLU presents the U.S. premiere screening of the award-winning Norwegian documentary ‘Being Ola’. (1 hour, 15 minutes – in Norwegian, with English sub-titles)
Sunday, September 29, 3:00 PM
In the Scandinavian Cultural Center at PLU (no admission fee) – reception following
Meet the Director! Ragnhild Nøst Bergem will be here from Norway to introduce the film!
“Being Ola” is an endearing portrait of an exceptional young man who puts his heart into striving for equality, acceptance, and independence. Ola is a 30-year-old man who lives in a small village in Norway with a very diverse group of people. Ola generally enjoys his life and is an engaged, witty, and sincere individual. He has a mild intellectual disability, and he reflects very openly about his condition. When Ola loses an important aspect of his life, he reflects on his existence and considers how he can become more self-reliant. It’s an impactful film that helps bridge the gap between ‘us’ and ‘them’, and it explores the importance of freedom of speech, specifically for individuals with disabilities.
Here’s a link to the trailer for “Being Ola”.
Film #2 – “Stay”, a second film by the same filmmaker, will be shown on Tuesday, October 1, at 7:30 PM. It is a warm and highly respected documentary where we meet three adults whose lives are severely changed due to their dementia disease, and they are completely dependent on their surroundings, and their comprehension of the situation. In this life-giving movie the director plows deeply into the sad loss, as well as detecting moments of light and humor.
The Wild Hope Center for Vocation Announces a Public Presentation:
Servant of Peace
Dag Hammarskjöld
The spiritual foundations of a political leader’s commitment to peacemaking.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 7:00 pm
Pacific Lutheran University, Scandinavian Cultural Center located in Anderson University Center.
In this presentation, Professor Emeritus Donovan Johnson from South Puget Sound College will explore the spiritual foundations of Dag Hammarskjöld’s secular vocation to peacemaking as the Secretary General of the United Nations.
Refreshments will be served at the conclusion of the presentation.
On behalf of the GTPP Board of Directors, we wish to thank you one and all who participated in and supported the 2023 Greater Tacoma Peace Prize Laureate Banquet for Maralise Hood-Quan. She is an amazing recipient for us and the evening was just fantastic! The silent auction was fabulous and the musical entertainment, Kareen Kandi, was exceptional. We wanted to share a few candid photos from the evening and hope you enjoy them. If you are inspired, please send us your email and you will be notified of upcoming Peace in Action projects as well as our 2024 Nomination period and future Laureate Banquet. Again, our thanks to each of you!
Click on the photos below to view the full-size images.
If you want a high resolution version of any of the photos above, email cort@tacomapeaceprize.org and we’ll email them to you.
Join Hands to Support Volodymyr Bieloshytskyi and His Family Amidst Challenging Circumstances
We invite you to be part of an incredible journey of resilience and compassion as we rally together to support Volodymyr Bieloshytskyi, his wife Tatiana, and their young daughter Aviheia. This courageous family, hailing from the Odessa region in Ukraine, has overcome immense challenges and now seeks our assistance to rebuild their lives in Tacoma, far away from the conflict that shattered their homeland.
A Life of Dedication:
Volodymyr Bieloshytskyi’s lifelong commitment to his family and his esteemed career as a certified sailor for international companies exemplify his unwavering dedication. Born and raised in the town of Izmail, he embodied the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion that guided him throughout his life.
InFebruary, when war unexpectedly erupted, Volodymyr immediately abandoned his planned trip to be by his family’s side. He fearlessly navigated the dangers of their heavily targeted hometown, ensuring Tatiana and Aviheia’s safety as they escaped the violence that engulfed their community. Volodymyr’s unwavering presence amidst perilous situations saved countless lives as he spearheaded the evacuation efforts for those trapped in the occupied territories.
Volodymyr’s moral compass, deeply rooted in his strong religious beliefs, propelled him to remain steadfast in his principles. Despite the imminent danger surrounding him, he chose a path of non-violence, refusing to use weapons even when faced withgrave threats. His unwavering faith and moral strength serve as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.
A New Chapter:
Now residing in Tacoma, Volodymyr, Tatiana their three-year-old daughter and unborn child face the daunting task of starting afresh in a foreign land. As they endeavor to settle down and rebuild their lives, they require our collective support to meet their basic needs and secure a stable future for their growing family.
Your Support Matters:
By contributing to this fundraising campaign, you can play a vital role in helping the Bieloshytskyi family regain their footing. Your generous donations will provide them with the essential resources they need to establish a new home, access healthcare for Tatiana’s pregnancy, and ensure their kids well-being. Together,we can help alleviate their immediate financial burdens and provide a solid foundation for a brighter future.
Let Us Stand United:
In the face of adversity, it is the kindness and compassion of individuals like yourself that provide hope and inspire change. By joining hands, we can make a tangible difference in the lives of the Bieloshytskyi family, allowing them to embark on a new chapter with the support and stability they deserve. Together, let us rally around Volodymyr, Tatiana, and Aviheia, demonstrating the power of collective support in creating a brighter future.
Help our new neighbors by donating via the button below:
(100% of your donation will go to the family, and we will post the distributions on our site in the future)
GTPP Laureate Banquet, September 15th at PLU Save the Date
September 15, 2022, 5:30pm Pacific Lutheran University Tacoma, WA 98447
Join us to celebrate Marilyn Kimmerling (2020-21 Laureate) Kwabi Amoah-Forson’s (2022 Laureate) peacework. Hors d’oeuvres, Dinner, Silent Auction, Entertainment and good company.
More details to follow, including an Evite for official registration.
Having been on the GTPP Board since its inception in 2005, Ruud retired in April of this year, after the Dedication of Bill Lincoln’s Peace Bench. Janet had informed the Board in early 2020 that she wished to retire, but when the COVID virus descended upon us and Zoom was the way to hold a meeting, she agreed to stick around for a while longer. The Board threw a surprise retirement party for her, where she expressed her deep gratitude to them all for their enthusiasm for peace and support over the years. She is happy to have some time for other interests now – including support of gay rights, anti-racism, and refugee assistance, as well as reading, relaxing, and traveling. (Janet can be contacted at janet@tacomapeaceprize.org)