Gift of Love: An Interfaith Art Performance Promoting Harmony and Tolerance Date: February 9, 2024 In commemoration of the United Nations' Week of Religious Tolerance and Harmony, the "Bridges - Eastern European Forum for Dialogue" Association orchestrated a captivating interfaith art performance titled "Gift of LOVE." This distinguished event unfolded on February 9th within the hallowed halls of Plovdiv's Bishop's Cathedral, a site steeped in historical and spiritual significance since Roman antiquity. Today, it stands as a testament to harmony and tranquility, attracting tourists worldwide with its meticulously preserved Roman mosaic floors. Under the esteemed patronage of Her Excellency Ambassador Andrea Ikić-Böhm and bolstered by the generous financial backing and collaboration of the Embassy of the Republic of Austria, this performance served as a conduit for fostering connections among youth from diverse backgrounds. Guided by the shared values of creativity and religious tolerance, participants transcended religious divides to celebrate unity and mutual understanding. Adopting the thematic elements of the year 2024—embodied by the color "peach fuzz" and the artistic style of the Renaissance—the performance aimed to evoke a collective awakening to humanity's most cherished virtues: love, cooperation, empathy, and understanding, all underpinned by a reverence for spirituality's enduring influence on global harmony. The event brought together 56 youth participants representing various religious and spiritual expressions, including Armenian, Muslim, Christian Orthodox, Catholic, Buddhist, and pagan traditions, all united under the banner of the "Bridges children" community. Through a diverse array of artistic mediums—paintings, dances, musical performances, and poetry—participants conveyed messages of love to God, love to “the other”, compassion for fellow beings, and solidarity with individuals across the globe. The collective rendition of "We Are the World" served as a poignant testament to their shared commitment to global solidarity and interfaith cooperation. Among the distinguished guests in attendance were Father Hrach Muradyan from the Armenian Church, Regional Mufti Taner Veli, youth leader Alex Levi from the Jewish community, representatives from the Municipality of Plovdiv, and partnering organizations from cities across Bulgaria. The event garnered significant interest, with the Bishop's Cathedral hosting a capacity crowd of 200 guests, while those unable to attend in person could partake via live streaming on social media channels. Following the formal proceedings, a select group of 40 individuals—including organizers, partners, VIP guests, participants, and the Austrian Ambassador—engaged in informal discussions over delectable Armenian cuisine and fine wine at the AK Glass of Wine place. The ambiance of conviviality and camaraderie fostered during this gathering paved the way for future intercultural and interfaith initiatives, reaffirming the enduring legacy of the "Gift of Love" performance. The "Gift of Love" art performance stands as a cornerstone in the broader tapestry of events convened during the World Interfaith Harmony Week (WIHW). Its overarching objective is to cultivate bridges of understanding and connection among people, institutions, religions, and perspectives. Moreover, the association intends to leverage the event's success by integrating it into the WIHW platform and pursuing recognition through application for one of the esteemed awards bestowed by the Prince of Jordan, in acknowledgment of exemplary contributions to global interfaith dialogue and cooperation. BRIDGES Association has a rich history of organizing events in observance of WIHW, including notable gatherings such as the "Building Bridges of Tolerance" round table in 2012, the "River of Tolerance" round table in 2015, the "Gift of Love" exhibition in 2016, the "Ecology of the Soul" art performance in 2022, and the "Palette of Peace" art performance in 2023.

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