In June 2011 we visited the Eden Project as part of our Great Britain World Harmony Run from John O'Groat's to Land's End. On that day we presented the Torch Bearer Award to Tim Smit (co-founder of the Eden Project), Gaynor Coley (Managing Director of the Eden Project) and Ken Radford (founder of the People and Gardens Project). They asked us to come back - so we did in this special one-day World Harmony Run event!

The first event was at the People and Garden's Project in Watering Lane Nursery . As we ran up the driveway we were greeted by loud cheers from Ken and the team who were standing outside to meet us. Everyone was so happy to see us!

The torch was passed from person to person...

...holding the torch and making a wish for World Harmony.

We gave a short presentation about the World Haromy Run...

...and then made our best effort to sing the World Harmony Run Song.

Ken "joined-in" with us.

Ken talked to us about all the good work that is done in the People and Gardens project and showed us around the large glasshouse.

Then we inspired everyone to do a lap while carrying the torch!

Even after a short visit you can clearly see how much everyone is getting from taking part in the People and Gardens Project.

It is such a beautiful, caring, accepting and encouraging environment. It is no wonder that people with all kinds of disabilities and problems can flourish here.

It is an inspiration to us that places like this exist on earth. We are always so impressed and inspired by the commitment, energy and enthusiasm of organisations like People and Gardens, and it proves to the rest of society that anything and everything is possible. Keep up the good work and keep banging that table Ken!

The world is all the better for characters like Ken Radford and the support of the Eden Project that champion the rights for those that cannot be heard and make the world a more harmonious place.

After this uplitfing visit it was time to say goodbye. Goodbye!!!

Back on the road...

Passing on joy from hand to hand.

A runner we met on the way (she was faster than us!)

Heading up the hill towards the Eden Project.

Our first glimpse of the Eden Project.

We can't stop running...

Each time you visit a place you see things differently. The first time I visited the Eden Project I was impressed with the scale of it and all the work that had gone into it. This time we stayed for longer and so could notice more of the details: the vast variety of sculptures and poems - it seems that no corner is untouched by an idea, a concept or an artistic expression.

The Eden Project kindly donated a bronze leaf on the occassion of the World Harmony Run visiting in June. Many thanks for Angelina Lambourn (Media Relations Manager, Eden Project) for organising this and helping it come to fruition.

The bronze leaf is set on the stonework in a quiet, secluded part of the grounds.

The inscription on the bronze leaf reads:

"As the countless drops

Of the boundless Ocean

Or the myriad leaves

Of a huge banyan tree

Peacefully remain side by side

Even so all human beings

Will someday live side by side

In a perfect oneness-world.

- Sri Chinmoy

On the occasion of the World Harmony Run visiting the Eden Project 30th June 2011."

The viewing platform.

On the viewing platform.

View from the top.

Our World Harmony Run co-ordinator tucks into a huge scone.

Evening sets in...

The torch and the moon.

There is so much creativity here. In one of the biomes a choral group were singing barbarshop style - while in another biome, with dimmed lights and it's own glowing moon, we listen to some story-telling from a girl suspended in mid-air from a balloon (yes, really). Then she started singing. It was wonderfully atmospheric.

Back in the cafe a jazz group were playing - it was lively music and children were dancing. Everywhere you went something was happening!

At the end of the day there was a parade of laterns and glowing light-scultpures.

Then the "fire organ" joined in - it made some kind of organ noise and then for good effect the gas was lit in burst of flames that poured out the top!

The Eden Project has so much creativity and lots of surprises! What a great way to finish the day!

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The World Harmony Run proudly supports the International Year of Youth (IYY) and the International Year of Forests (IYF) proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly.

See the recent Youtube video on African experience which illustrates IYY slogan "Our Year Our Voice"  International Year of Youth - Zambia World Harmony. They surprisingly mention Presidents and UN Secretary-General in a unique way! 

See also the UNESCO World Heritage (WH) Centre support for IY of Forests.  ... Convention for conservation of forest biodiversity. (more)

Listen to the World-Harmony-Run song: 2 min version // 6 min 

See also:  Music Scores;  Arrangements;   Song in Non-English Languages;  Schools Arrangements and Performances

 

– Suswara and Rasmivan

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Distance: 6 miles

Team Members:
Devashishu Torpy (Great Britain), Balavan Thomas (Great Britain), Rasmivan Collinson (Great Britain), Suswara Payne (Great Britain)

Harmonemail:
You can send a message to the runners or read the messages.

Gallery: See more images!

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