All our wishes on ‘The Palm of Peace’

     The National Palace of Guatemala is the most important building and was the headquarters of the President of Guatemala. But now, it became the national museum and the origin of all the roads in the Republic.

     Inside the palace, there is a famous statue called ‘Palm of Peace.’ The statue is built where the the government signed to end the 36 years of malicious civil war.
In Guatemala, white rose is a symbol of peace. To celebrate another day of peace and for the everlasting peace, at 11:30 am, the Army honor Guard changes white rose that has been placed on a monument with a new rose. The old rose (symbolizes 24 hours of peace) is given to a guest of the country in a ceremony.

     Many guests from around the world visit to place the rose in the statue. In 2007, President Bush laid the rose in the peace statue and in 2011, the UN secretary general Ban-Ki Moon was the first Korean who placed the rose in the statue. And this year, another special guest from Korea visited the National Palace. It was the active peace advocate Chairman Man-Hee Lee. Even though he is a leader of a mere private organization, people of Guatemala deeply honored his activities towards world peace and thanked him. Chairman Lee laid a white rose in the Palm of Peace.

     When I saw the picture of him laying the flower, my heart was overwhelmed because it looked like he was laying the wishes of the people. Wishes of world peace! The two hands that are raised sincerely towards the sky seemed like a prayer of those who are suffering from the ruthless war. Hope all our wishes come true!

Reference: http://www.delange.org/Guat1/Guat1.htm
Photo source: http://www.spyghana.com/mr-man-hee-lee-laid-white-rose-palm-peace/

Guatemala, finally met the peace advocate!

      Do you remember from the last posting about the Mayans? I found an interesting fact from my friend from Guatemala that more than half of Guatemalans are the descendants of the Mayans! Some of them preserve the life style of Maya-wear traditional dress and speak indigenous language. The rest of the Guatemalans are Ladinos, mixed Maya-Spanish ancestry).

     Guatemala, the meaning of its name is the “land of tree.” It is where the most populous nation in Central America. Like the meaning of its name, it is heavily fostered and mountainous country. 

     Guatemala has been dreaming about peace in the world for a long time. In the presidential palace, there is a statue called “Palm of Peace.” It is the world’s famous statue which the presidents, politicians, and celebrities from around the world visit and lay the flower in the statue. In 2011, the UN secretary general Ban Ki-Moon was the first Korean citizen to lay the flower in the statue. But this time, the world peace activist Man-Hee Lee visited Guatemala and was invited to the Presidential Palace and laid the flower. It is surprising that a mere private volunteer organization could do all the peace activities for the universe! If I was a president, I would give him all the best awards and honor him as the state guest. Chairman Lee is the one who has done things that presidents or politicians couldn’t do. I hope his work continues until the world peace comes true. 

Reference:http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/guatemala-facts/

Photo source:http://guatemala-thebook.com/

Mayans, the peace lovers

     What do you know about Maya? The Maya civilization is known world-wide but not a lot of people know about the details.

     Maya is a Mesoamerican civilization which was established during 2000BC to 250AD. They had fully developed written language, art, architecture, and mathematical and astronomical systems. Many people knew that calendar, writing, and epigraphy is originated in Maya but their civilization developed them. Maya influence is detected in Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, and western El Salvador. Mayans did not conquest other countries but exchanged their culture by trade. From this, I think that the Mayans are peaceful citizens and advanced country where people possess gentle behavior.

     The Mayans were collapsed by the Spanish in 16^th century, but still there are many Mayans survived until now. Some Mayans still maintain their own culture such as clothing, religion, and language. They have their own pride for being the Mayans. Even though they lost their country, they never lose the mind of ‘peace-loving,’ so when a true peace leader, Man-Hee Lee visited them, they give him a grand welcome. The leaders of the Mayans willingly signed a peace agreement and expressed their desire for world peace.

     Even in a difficult situation, 14 million Mayans were delighted to work for the world peace. We must look after them, their broad mind-caring others not only oneself-and think what we can do for this world. 

Reference:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_civilization

Photo source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_civilization