The Bell of World Peace and Love Rings for the First Time in Greece
Dimitrios Tsetsilas, Deputy Regional Governor of Thessaly, Becomes the 553rd Ringer of the Bell of World Peace and Love
The Northern Hemisphere is experiencing intense heat waves, causing disasters in many regions. Extreme weather patterns, ongoing violent conflicts, and threats of war have created a chaotic environment, leaving people feeling uneasy and anxious. In these troubling times, peace is a common aspiration of global citizens. Over the years, the Federation of World Peace and Love (FOWPAL) has toured every populated continent to spread the concepts of love, peace, and conscience. On July 2, 2024, it traveled to Greece, the cradle of
Western civilization, marking the 104th country visited by FOWPAL.
FOWPAL's first stop was Delphi, revered by the ancient Greeks as the center of the world. The delegation then proceeded to the town of Kalambaka, Thessaly. Dimitrios Tsetsilas, the Deputy Regional Governor of Thessaly, warmly welcomed Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, president of FOWPAL, and FOWPAL delegates on behalf of the governor.
Deputy Regional Governor Tsetsilas endorsed the "Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope" and rang the Bell of World Peace and Love, becoming the 553rd ringer of the Bell worldwide, and conveying his best wishes for Greece and the entire world. He expressed his hope that everyone can achieve their goals, and that “PEACE comes to the whole world.”
The Deputy Regional Governor presented Dr. Hong with books on the history and culture of Thessaly, a special edition on local agricultural products, and a local specialty—wine. The Deputy Regional Governor emphasized that in today's tumultuous world filled with challenges, Dr. Hong’s message of hope, peace, and love is incredibly important. The Deputy Regional Governor’s three rings of the Bell of World Peace and Love symbolized the global spread of this peaceful message, and the ceremony was both powerful and beautiful. He expressed pride in signing the Declaration of World Day of the Power of Hope and noted that Dr. Hong, still passionate at 81, left a profound impression and serves as a role model for promoting peace.
Additionally, the FOWPAL delegates performed the "Love and Peace Song" in the conference room of the government of the Thessaly Region, sending their best wishes to Greece and the world and praying for the global dissemination of love and peace.
Over the years, Dr. Hong has been a staunch advocate for the concept of "Promoting the Culture of Peace with Love and Conscience." Especially in today's world, where natural disasters, wars, and diseases are rampant, fostering a "Culture of Conscience" offers a vital solution to these pressing challenges.
Dr. Hong leads the FOWPAL delegation in holding ceremonies of ringing the Bell of World Peace and Love across the globe. They invite influential leaders and peace advocates to make sincere wishes for a harmonious and prosperous world as they ring the bell of peace.
Over the years, the FOWPAL delegation has fostered dialogue with government officials and leaders from various sectors in numerous countries through cultural exchanges, bell-ringing ceremonies, and world leader summits of love and peace. They share their experiences and insights on promoting a culture of peace with love and conscience, aspiring to collaborate with more peace-loving individuals to advance global peace and work together for the sustainable peace of future generations.
In 2022, Dr. Hong declared September 23 as the "World Day of the Power of Hope." He encourages everyone to act with conscience and harness the power of hope for the safety and sustainability of themselves, others, and the world. This initiative aims to channel positive energy toward sustainable development for the Earth. Under Dr. Hong’s leadership, tens of thousands of FOWPAL members from diverse backgrounds worldwide will continue to dedicate their efforts to this important mission.