Since it began, Flowers for Palestine - Putiputi mo Parihitini has been a community-driven project dedicated to honouring the lives lost in the ongoing war on Gaza. Individuals from all walks of life contributed to our large-scale tapestry adorned with embroidered flowers; each flower representing a life lost.
The violence in Palestine has inflicted profound global, collective, and personal trauma. In response, Whanganui has shown its commitment to peace by becoming the first council in Aotearoa to formally call for a ceasefire. This bold stance, supported by an overwhelming community petition, underscored our shared resolve to address and respond to global crises with compassion and action. Despite these efforts and many others, violence persists, leaving both our local and global communities in ongoing mourning.
Our project sought to create a space where people could come together to express solidarity and find comfort through creativity and community. By engaging in the art of embroidery and textile process, participants of all ages had the opportunity to learn basic stitching techniques from local artists who offered experienced help, and contributed to a collective piece of art that serves as both a tribute and a call for peace. Our intention was to engage and weave together the rich diversity of our riverside city to build the kind of unity and justice we pray to see one day in Palestine.
In addition to the hands-on embroidery, the project provided a constructive space for members of our Whanganui whānau to come together to learn, ask questions and discuss with skilled facilitators. This multifaceted approach aimed to foster a peaceful and inclusive environment, allowing participants to unite in their shared pursuit of understanding and advocating for peace through creative expression.
The project spanned months, giving many the opportunity to contribute a flower to the tapestry. The long term nature of this project provided our community with the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and build relationships with one another, culminating in an exhibition on the 15th of May 2025 - the anniversary of the 1948 Nakba.
The violence in Palestine has inflicted profound global, collective, and personal trauma. In response, Whanganui has shown its commitment to peace by becoming the first council in Aotearoa to formally call for a ceasefire. This bold stance, supported by an overwhelming community petition, underscored our shared resolve to address and respond to global crises with compassion and action. Despite these efforts and many others, violence persists, leaving both our local and global communities in ongoing mourning.
Our project sought to create a space where people could come together to express solidarity and find comfort through creativity and community. By engaging in the art of embroidery and textile process, participants of all ages had the opportunity to learn basic stitching techniques from local artists who offered experienced help, and contributed to a collective piece of art that serves as both a tribute and a call for peace. Our intention was to engage and weave together the rich diversity of our riverside city to build the kind of unity and justice we pray to see one day in Palestine.
In addition to the hands-on embroidery, the project provided a constructive space for members of our Whanganui whānau to come together to learn, ask questions and discuss with skilled facilitators. This multifaceted approach aimed to foster a peaceful and inclusive environment, allowing participants to unite in their shared pursuit of understanding and advocating for peace through creative expression.
The project spanned months, giving many the opportunity to contribute a flower to the tapestry. The long term nature of this project provided our community with the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and build relationships with one another, culminating in an exhibition on the 15th of May 2025 - the anniversary of the 1948 Nakba.