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By
its resolution A/RES/53/24, the United Nations General
Assembly proclaimed the year 2002 as the International
Year of Mountains. The resolution «invites FAO to
serve as the lead agency for the Year, in collaboration
with Governments, UNEP, UNDP, UNESCO and other relevant
organizations of the United Nations system and non-governmental
organizations» to increase international awareness
of the global importance of mountain ecosystems.
Address
to humanity from the mountains peaks of all continents
Mountains
are monuments to time, visible evidence of the slow
but steady changes wrought by geological forces. Their
magnitude and majesty have inspired some of history’s
greatest poets, writers, artists and explorers.
Mountains
come in all shapes and sizes. Found on every continent,
from the equator to the Polar Regions, they rise to
different altitudes, in a great variety of climates
and particular combinations of ecosystems. For millennia,
mountains have served as vast reserves of valuable resources
– such as water, energy and biological diversity – as
well as key centres of culture and recreation.
Today,
however, the rapid pace of globalization, urbanization
and mass tourism are threatening mountain communities
and the resources they depend on. Worldwide, mountain
areas face increasing marginalization, economic decline
and environmental degradation.
To
increase the awareness, especially during the International
Year of Mountains, poets, writers, other organisers,
including politicians and other international activists,
supported the idea to address humanity with poetic appeal
and to transmit an important message to mankind from
the Seven Summits of the seven continents and other
significant 24 mountaintops. The idea was born within
the “Dialogue through poetry” organisation, created
during the United Nations Dialogue among Civilisations,
and was highly welcomed during the literary conference
in United Nations in New York, held last year. Professional
mountain climbers working with Alpine Ascents International
and International Mountain Guides are preparing the
mountain ascent.
Thus
from the highest summit of the world Mt. Everest, mankind
will hear his Holiness, the Dalai Lama “Never
Give Up” (Expedition is currently taking place during
May 2002).
From
the roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, the
words of Mevlana
Jeladuddin Rumi, great poet of Afghanistan of the
13th century with his appeal for tolerance will be delivered
during the month of August.
From
the top of South America, Mt. Aconcagua, Argentina 23
January 2002, the Indian philosopher Kabir
as if through the centuries (1440-1518 AD) addressed
us his philosophy for the union of all souls and harmony
of a human being and nature.
One
of the most extraordinary expeditions, in all senses,
took place in Antarctica 19 January 2002 to launch the
International Year of Mountains. The poem of English
poet William Blake
was read out from Vison Massif (alt. 4,897 m) “Great
things are done when men and mountains meet; This is
not done by jostling in the street.” The expedition
itself perhaps deserves to be written about in all details.
It was described by one of its members as “an absolutely
incredible expedition; highly recommended for any serious
mountaineer and these are certainly the people to go
with.” In fact, this is one of the most rarely visited
summits for difficulty of journey, access, and weather
conditions.
A
number of readings are organized all over the United
States. Poetry of Walt Whitman, Li Bai, Han Shan, Leopold
Sedhar Senghor will sound from the mountaintops of the
United States. Just to mention the readings by the coordinators
of the programme who will climb the Mt. Rainer, Washington
to deliver the words of Korean poet, So
Chong Ju, so deep and philosophic it the sense of
harmony between a human being and nature.
Several
readings were organized already in New York (the readings
in the United Nations HQ and the participation of the
UN staff from New York is specially marked in separate
article).
Readings
at the top of the Stone Mountain of 27 April 2002 perhaps
should be mentioned as well because they turned out
to be a real conference-manifestation of several organizations
of cultural and humanitarian character. Readings were
held with the words of Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. addressed to the nation.
From
other mountain peaks and among other voices of great
poets of all continents we will hear the voice of Pablo
Neruda.
There
will be many other readings on other mountaintops. Reading
will be organized to pass an important message through
poetry, to commemorate the International Year of Mountains,
or simply to celebrate the beauty of the mountains.
There will be also readings appealing for environment
protection, and mountain protection, protection of our
natural heritage in particular.
The
Matternhorn is on the list of the “Poetry on the Peaks”
programme. I have contacted the coordinators and alpine
climbers. They told me that they had chosen the Matternhorn
just for the beauty of the mountain and difficulty of
the ascent. They intend to read out the poem of Percy
Bysshe Shelley “Mont Blanc” when they reach the
summit and see the huge Alps area. The poem of Shelley
is really exceptionally beautiful, it sounds like an
ode to the eternal snow and majesty of the mountains.
Definitely, it deserves to be read out from this summit,
as well as perhaps many other poems of many great poets
inspired by the beauty of the mountains.
For
us all, the Matternhorn, I am sure, means much more.
This is not only gorgeous mountain in Switzerland, country
of mountains. This is the symbol of the country, which
is the home for the European office of the United Nations
and other international organisations. This is the symbol
of the country, which this year (voting was held 3 March)
has taken the important decision to become a member
of the United Nations.
This
could be a good opportunity to commemorate all these
events – the International Year of Mountains from the
top of Switzerland, the top of United Nations member-states,
home of the European centre of peace of diplomacy, the
European office of the United Nations. We all could
participate in such an endeavour, express our feelings
and words of solidarity, and address our own message
– be it the message for peace and tolerance, or the
message-appeal to protect our ecosystem, our natural
heritage for future generations. This message can consist
of different poems in different languages. We can add
our voices to the international group of climbers and
accompany them to the foot of the highest rock (highest
accessible place). We can read out together our message
in all six United Nations languages from this place
and then pass it in symbolic form to the climbers who
will transmit it from the very summit. Thus our message
for peace, tolerance and protection of our nature addressed
from the symbol of Switzerland will be heard and understood
all over. (For information – the international climb
will be organised between 27 July and 9 August 2002,
UN Special will prepare further the details of this
project and will keep you updated).
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