A Hampshire-based inter-cultural initiative for those who want to share the peace-building qualities of their traditions with others, through arts/cultural activities.
Inspired originally by the ‘Space for Peace’ events in Winchester Cathedral, and then at the University in 2019 – organised by June Boyce-Tillman and Vicky Feldwick - this initiative brings together individuals and groups who wish to build on the success of those events, and foster mutual understanding and respect in the name of peace, using music, poetry and visual art.
The first event took place in October 2024, with 25 people of different faiths and none, where we heard from each other, sang together, listened to music and poetry, shared contemplative silence, and had conversations over refreshments afterwards.
The next event was on 17th May 2025, in the house and gardens of Winchester Meeting House, where over 100 people explored common ground between different cultural/faith groups, through music, singing together, circle-dancing, poetry, responding to a video art stimulus, and making origami peace doves. A shared lunch provided opportunities to talk to each other.
In between these events....
...faith groups invite others to learn something about their faith and practice. We visited the SGI Buddhist community; and were hosted by the South Hampshire Reform Jewish community; and several of us took part in the Southampton Peace Walk, which involved visiting a mosque, a Sikh Temple, a synagogue and a Quaker Meeting. Our latest visit was to the Vedic Society Hindu Temple in Southampton, which was fascinating and enlightening. We discovered much in common with other faiths.'
We aim to
- draw together groups and individuals from different faith and secular backgrounds, who are passionate about peace-building
- share music and arts traditions, to encourage mutual understanding
- produce and participate in arts/cultural events which help us to understand and respect each other, bring us closer, and explore common ground
Growing this Initiative
We hope to grow this initiative, so that more people can benefit from this positive experience, and to promote harmony between people.
We wish to connect with institutions, groups and individuals who share our aims, and we plan to create more events in Winchester and beyond.
Collaboration with organisations working in the field of interfaith relations and community cohesion may help us in our endeavours.
For all enquiries, please contact us at creativevoicesforpeacewinchester@gmail.com
Winchester Quakers are pleased to support this initiative, which is a multi-faith collaboration
An amazing day at the Vedic Society Temple!
Over 100 people attended our event at the Hindu Temple in Southampton on Sat 28th Feb 2026. We shared music, songs, chants and poems, Light for Peace craft activity, and Words for Peace table, joined in Ukrainian and Hindu circle dancing, and enjoyed a delicious lunch, kindly prepared by our hosts.