Translation:
by Boijayanti Gomez Badillo
Mérida, Location for a “Peace Run”
200 participants from different parts of the world visit the city of Mérida – An Open Invitation to all Residents
Around 200 people from different parts of the world are currently in Mérida to participate in a “Peace Run,” set to take place next Tuesday, 20 January amongst numerous schools and streets of the city; the run aims to share the message of the significance of living in harmony with others, explained one of the group organisers.
Participants from the United States, India, Switzerland, Germany, England, Australia, Puerto Rico, Japan, Argentina, Venezuela, Italy, Australia and Russia, have already arrived and very cordially invite all residents of the Yucatán to participate.
The “peace relay” is promoted by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team, a non-profit international athletic association that promotes personal development through sports.
The founder is Sri Chinmoy, a peace-seeking spiritual leader who was originally born in Bengal, India, and who has met with international figures such as Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Princess Diana, the Dalai Lama, ex-president Mikhail Gorbachev, South African leader Nelson Mandela, Czechoslovakian ex-president Vaclav Havel, Queen Elizabeth II of England, and former Nobel Peace Prize Winner Oscar Arias.
Mrs. Lohita González Avila, the Mexican Coordinator of the Peace Run, explained that Sri Chinmoy, who has already arrived in the city and will be residing at the Holiday Inn for the duration of his visit, is the author of numerous books and poems, pursuits that are also combined with painting, music, and sports. Sri Chinmoy will also offer a “peace concert” in the city either this coming Sunday or Monday.
She also clarified that these scheduled activities are not connected to the armed conflict in Chiapas, and that this city was selected to undertake these ceremonies for other reasons, including the city’s culture and its prominence in the republic of Mexico.
She was also present at a ceremony yesterday with the mayor, Mr. Patricio Patrón Laviada, at the Municipal Palace, where the start of the “Peace Run” was celebrated.
Architect Domingo Rodriguez Semerana, Secretary of the Commune, who officially represented the municipality, formally received the Peace Run delegation.
Government representatives explained that all people, irrespective of age, gender or physical ability, are cordially invited to run with the torch for a short stretch.
In the morning, the relay will take place in various schools, and in the afternoon, the run will take place in El Paseo de Montejo, as well as other streets.
Additional details will be announced to the press at 13:00 today at the Government building (el Ayuntamiento).
Published in the major, regional Mexican daily newspaper, Diario de Yucatán (Yucatán Daily)