A Peace Tree for now and the future.
In the Fruittuin van West, (a park in Amsterdam) on Friday, August 8, a Peace Tree will be planted. This will take place during the Let Love Rule Peace Tree festival. Jeantille Spruijt is the organizer of this international peace and art event. “Everyone who wishes to connect with love and peace is welcome."
Peace, connection, art, and spirituality take center stage during this free festival. At several locations in the world, other Let Love Rule Peace Trees will be planted. “We want to do something that is permanent and that connects people to each other. Peace may not be just another word; it must also be tangible and take root in the earth.”
A living monument of peace
“We are going to plant a Sequoia, a giant Sequoia,” says Spruijt. “This tree is a symbol for strength, sustainability, and collective consciousness. They can live to more than 1,000 years old, but they do need care and protection. Just like peace. The tree is a living monument of peace. And the tree belongs to everyone. Next to the Peace Tree, a Peace Pole will be placed, donated by the Charter for Compassion and the Uplift Ubuntu Project. It will have the text May Peace Prevail on Earth in 8 languages. When the Fruittuin (park in Amsterdam) is open, everyone can visit the Peace Tree and Peace Pole.”
Super cool
“I saw how a Peace Tree was planted in Ruigoord (near Amsterdam) by Jeremiah Wolf. He is an indigenous Mohawk American. Shortly afterwards, I had a vision: we also had to plant a tree, but do it together with indigenous peace leaders from all over the world. With our Let Love Rule Community, we organize events in which unconditional love and inner peace are central. It is super cool that that is going to happen here!”
Natural harmony
Spruijt is a shaman and feels deeply connected with indigenous peoples. “My spiritual name is Grandmother Mother Mother. The first “Mother” represents old traditions, ceremonies, en authentic knowledge; the second “Mother” represents the new forms, modern spiritual rituals, and approaches. Together, I anchor both worlds: the old and the new. Shamanism is the collection of thousands of ancient nature religions. Shamanism is about preserving and restoring natural harmony. I see everything as energy. Everything is energy: people, plants, animals, ancestors.”
Living in Peace
“I attended an international peace meeting in Mexico. The eighth fire was lit there. That was an important event. The seventh fire symbolizes the knowledge and rituals of one's own community. The eighth fire, on the other hand, represents the sharing of all the knowledge of all indigenous peoples and calls for peace. We will be doing the same on August 8th.”
Positive and loving energy
"We humans are like living trees. The leaves and branches of the tree reach for the sky. We have the same feeling with our hands and hair. Our feet are like the roots. When we consciously place our feet on the ground, we connect with the earth. In this way, we nourish the world with positive and loving energy. Some people find this far-fetched. But when they learn to see the world as energy, beautiful things happen. Even though the whole world is on fire."
The Day's Program
The day begins on Friday, August 8th, at 8:00 AM with the lighting of the eighth fire at the Natuurkamer (President Allendelaan 4) near the Sloterplas lake. At 10:00 AM, a peace march will depart for the Fruittuin van West (Tom Schreursweg 48). There, the tree will be planted and consecrated with soil and water from various continents. There will also be ceremonies, drum circles, music, and art installations.
More information can be found at the website LetLoveRulePeace.
If you are unable to attend but would like to support the event, please donate here.
Inspiring performances and activations will take place throughout the day. One of the highlights is the inspiring performance by Grammy-nominated reggae artist Pato Banton, who, along with acclaimed keyboardist Antonette Rootsdawtah, will bring to life the power of Ubuntu – a philosophy of unity, mutual respect, and humanity.
The entire day will be dedicated to loving expression:· Artworks and installations that visualize indigenous messages and dreams· Workshops, rituals, teachings, and quiet spaces· Dance, music, and healing sound· A space for connection between generations, cultures, and spirit
Closing
As a closing highlight, at 8:00 PM, we will join the Global Drum Gathering worldwide, which stems from the prophecy of the 8,000 drums. Along with drummers around the world, we will beat the drum for peace, letting the heart of Mother Earth beat in a rhythm of love, healing, and hope.
Documentary
This special day will be captured in images and sound and will be part of the international documentary about the Let Love Rule Peace Tree Movement, allowing the story and message to travel further, from heart to heart, from tree to tree, from continent to continent. From peace leaders to those in power who must receive this message.
Photo credit Danielle Moelker
Adjusted by Charter staff from an article in
Amsterdams Stadsblad Nieuw West
