 Since the first festival in 1986, more than 160,000 people have launched their kites in over 200 locations to promote world peace using kites and the wind to symbolize the metaphor contained in the event title, "One Sky, One World". Tens of thousands of spectators have looked to the sky with joy at the spectacle of colorful kites and wind sculpture. In addition to the kite-fly in Long Beach, WA, most states of the United States and people on continents worldwide are expected to participate this year... The mission of OSOW is to focus individuals and communities around the world on the needs for friendship and peace between all peoples and to protect the environment. The name of the organization expresses this theme and connotes the purpose metaphorically.
The historic 1985 summit meeting of Presidents Ronald Reagan of the U.S. and Mikhail Gorbachev of the U.S.S.R. marked a significant step towards peace between the super-powers. The spirit of that meeting inspired One Sky One World (OSOW) founder and Colorado kite maker, Jane Parker-Ambrose to create a kite commemorating this new promise of global harmony. The flags of the U.S. and U.S.S.R. are joined on the face of the kite. Halley's comet, which revisited the Earth in 1986 for the first time in seventy-six years, is shown as a portent of peace. On a "people-to-people" visit to Moscow in the Fall of 1985, Jane presented her kite along with a letter of friendship, signed by some 300 kitefliers from the U.S., Canada, Japan and the United Kingdom to the Soviet Women's Peace Committee. This gesture of global goodwill gave birth to the idea for One Sky One World, which has become widely recognized in the U.S. and internationally each year on the second Sunday of October as "World Kite Day". Since its inception in October 1986, hundreds of thousands of people have attended One Sky One World events in more than 30 nations. The 18th Annual One Sky One World will take place on Sunday, October 10, 2004. One Sky One World's organizational purpose is to develop awareness of and respect for human and cultural diversity, nature and the environment at home and around the world. Public education in the technology of kites, art, history, and participation in age old practice of flying and building kites generates a greater sense of global community, enjoyment of nature and greater appreciation for all life on earth. The message becomes clear to thousands through the activity of flying kites in the universal sky. This annual event has never been more timely. One Sky One World gatherings will be held annually around the world to promote protection of the planet, peace, friendship and understanding between all people! The yearly festivals are sponsored by community based organizations committed to promoting international friendship in a positive demonstration for global cooperation. One of these global gatherings will be held from 11am to 4pm at the Bolstad Avenue beach approach in Long Beach, WA on Saturday and Sunday, October 9th and 10th! The festival is being sponsored locally by the World Kite Museum & Hall of Fame. Special guests will fly kites from different countries giving visitors a chance to play the Kite Passport Game. Also, there will be an opportunity to make kites from another country. Activities will happen from 11am to 4pm both days. People are invited to bring kites they've made or purchased or to watch the activities and be included in the annual worldwide tally. For more information about this event: World Kite Museum One Sky, One World Long Beach |
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