Saturday, 31 May & Sunday 1st June.
A symposium commemorating the 550th anniversary of the fall of Constantinople / Conquest of Istanbul. A communal educative project bringing Australians together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding.
On the 29 May 1453 the Fall of Constantinople / Conquest of Istanbul brought to a close the 1,000 year history of the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire.
At the same time it provided a new capital for the emerging Ottoman Empire which survived for nearly another 500 years This date and event has enormous historical, emotional, spiritual and cultural significance for Greek and Turkish people. It was a turning point in world history.
Project 1453 brings together a series of lectures, displays and innovative performances exploring the rich cultural , political religious, artistic, military and social legacies of these two extraordinary empires.
The keynote lecture will provide an historical account of what took place on the 29th May 1453, giving the Byzantine and Ottoman perspectives.
The Objectives:
To mark this important historical event, involving the people on whom it had the most impact, bringing interested parties together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and common interest in history.
To explore the historical events, outcomes and implications of the East Roman / Byzantine and the Ottoman periods to the peoples of that specific and broader regions.
To promote and popularize the study of history and expose audiences to a variety of informed opinions and academic views. To further mutual understanding between the Greek and Turkish communities in Melbourne and Regional Victoria and engender a spirit of goodwill, understanding and reconciliation.
Further information www.vicnet.net.au/~wp2000au E-mail: orgcom1453@bigpond.com
Dear World Peace 2000 International Friends,
Australia and its people are well known around the world for the rich mixture of Cultures, Nationalities, Ideologies, our Free Easy Going Spirit, our Arts, our people's commitment to Nature, our Mateship and our many inventions that are contiguously making changes around the world. All these combinations in my informed opinion form the perfect example for the world to take notice of our World Peace Model!
We as Australians represent the most diverse ideologies and the feelings of millions of migrants who like me have done everything possible to enrich our Australian society.
As Founder of World Peace 2000 International and as Messenger UNESCO MANIFESTO 2000 I am proud to be associated and endorse the joining of two of our largest Migrant Communities as one, so the people of these wonderful communities are able to pass on a message of eternal forgiveness and peace between them via the example shown by Project 1453.
I welcome the people of Australia and the world to participate and to support this unique cultural effort, I also encourage, and request for this unique event to be an example for other nationalities that may still have conflicting ideologies or views with neighbouring countries.
All of us must take our Australian Peace example as a model for World Peace for our present and future generations as it is never too late to let go of our differences, as we must focus in what we have in common!
It is only when we learn from our historical background and forgive others that we can understand why we are all - One Global Family!
Right around the world we are right now in need of
good news and hope especially in times of our present conflicts so I have
informed and listed this historical event with UNESCO Manifesto 2000 as part
of our program for Peace and Non Violence which ends in 2010.
Since I have attended the organising committee meetings,
I have become fully aware of the length and diplomatic steps, the organising
committee has taken to ensure a perfect balance of opinions, research and
presenters views. In order to create, this unique joining of our Greek and
Turkish communities in Melbourne Australia and therefore I am proud to offer
my warmest and sincerest congratulations to the whole 1453 organising committee.
However, I wish to express especial congratulations
to; Mr. Terry Papadis, Ms. Susan Aykut and Mr. Paul Kavanagh and the rest
of the committee, for their drive and personal dedication to bring this unique
peace event to fruition, I thank also Australian Catholic University, Melbourne
for their cooperation to stage this event in this wonderful historical building
landmark!
Richard A Fletcher
UN Regional Coordinator World Peace 2000 / One Day in Peace
Messenger UNESCO MANIFESTO 2000 - 2010
Founder & Chairman of World Peace 2000 International Board.
MPE (Mental Physical & Emotional) Spiritual - Inner Life Coach