View the Forgiveness Project Poster here.

"If you focus only on retribution, you extinguish the very spirit and memory of your child"
Francis Climbie, father of Victoria
A powerful photographic exhibition exploring the idea of forgiveness in the face of atrocity opens at four sites in the seacoast beginning April 1^st.

THE F WORD: images of forgiveness is the brainchild of journalist Marina Cantacuzino and photographer Brian Moody who in January 2004, tired of a climate where revenge and retaliation dominated the headlines, resolved to present the public with an alternative view.

Travelling to places including the United States, South Africa, Northern Ireland, Romania, Rwanda, Israel and Palestine, as well as the UK, they collected the stories of 24 people whose lives had been shattered by violence, tragedy and injustice - and who had chosen to take the challenging and often painful journey towards forgiveness.

The exhibition’s subjects include Berth and Francis Climbié, parents of 7-year old Victoria Climbié who was abused and murdered by her aunt; Marian Partington, whose sister was murdered by Frederick West; Pat Magee, the man behind the IRA Brighton bomb and Jo Berry, whose father was killed in the blast; Duma Kumalo, one of the Sharpville Six, wrongly imprisoned for a murder he didn’t commit; and Andrew Rice, whose brother David was killed in the World Trade Center bombing.

Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who himself features in the exhibition and is a patron of The Forgiveness Project, describes forgiveness as a journey out of victimhood. ‘Forgiveness does not mean condoning what has been done. It means taking what has happened seriously and not minimising it; drawing out the sting in the memory that threatens to poison our entire existence. In these forgiveness stories there is real healing’.

Dame Anita Roddick, whose company Anita Roddick Books sponsored the exhibition, says ‘Tit-for-Tat killings and pay-back politics are all we hear about these days. That’s why I think it’s so terribly important to give a platform to those who have gone the other way – people who have turned revenge on its head and tried to forgive. An exhibition like this needs to be seen, and to be seen it needs support’.

The exhibition is produced by The Forgiveness Project, a non-partisan, non-religious charitable organisation working at local, national and international level to promote conflict resolution and restorative practices as alternatives to the endless cycles of conflict, violence and crime that are the hallmarks of our time. Through collecting and sharing personal stories, and delivering educational and self-help programmes, The Forgiveness Project aims to reframe the debate about how individuals and communities can learn to celebrate difference and overcome division, thereby fostering positive social change.

Its patrons include Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Emma Thompson, Dame Anita Roddick, as well as Britain’s Lord Chief Justice, Lord Woolf. Amongst its supporters are Helen Mirren, Tony Benn, Katharine Hamnett, Terry Waite and Annie Lennox.

Listings information
Oyster River High School
55 Coe Drive
603.868.2375

Saturday
April 1
8:30 – 4:30 PM
Featured at The Art and Craft of Teaching Peace open space conference held at Oyster River High School.

Monday
April 3
Oyster River High School

The University of New Hampshire
Memorial Union Building
603.862.0130

Tuesday and Wednesday
April 4 and 5
8:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Memorial Union Building
Room 330/332
The University of New Hampshire will host The Forgiveness Project with members of the UNH Chaplains Association and Student Affairs present throughout the day. A discussion will be held April 4th 12:30 – 2:00 in MUB room 203.

South Congregational Church
27 Pleasant Street
Concord, NH
603.224.2521

Thursday - Monday
April 6 - April 10
For information please call 224-2521

Community Church of Durham
17 Main Street
603.868.1230

The Exhibit can be viewed in the church Fellowship Hall during the public viewing hours. Special events are described below.

Tuesday
April 11
6:00-7:30PM Public Viewing Hours
7:30 Interfaith Panel Discussion on The Possibility of Forgiveness
What do some of the world's great spiritual and religious traditions offer as far as language, history, ritual and vision in regard to forgiveness, reconciliation and hope in the face of violence and hatred? Leaders from Jewish, Buddhist, Ba'hi, Christian faiths will address timely questions. All are welcome.

Wednesday
April 12
1:00-4:00PM Public Viewing Hours
4:00PM Tears, Tenacity and Transformation
September 11 families share their stories and their journey. Through the voices and experiences of those who have suffered great loss, this program will provide the opportunity to explore the process that leads painfully toward healing.

Thursday
April 13
9:00AM - 12 noon Public Viewing
10:00AM - noon Women and the Work of Reconciliation
This morning is an opportunity to talk with other women who have faced great loss and have pursued the path of peace and reconciliation. Video and discussion. All women welcome.

Thursday
April 13
4:00 - 7:00PM Public Viewing
7:00- 8:00pm Maundy Thursday Service of Communion and Tenebra
Following viewing the exhibit worshippers are invited to participate in a service that commemorates the final hours of Jesus' life, through song, silence and ritual.

Friday
April 14
12:00noon to 1:00PM Ecumenical Good Friday Service
This Good Friday service will incorporate the scenes and themes of the exhibit allowing viewers to reflect more fully upon the task of forgiveness in our time in light of the message of the cross and the promise of resurrection. Sponsored by area churches.

Friday
April 14
4:00- 7:30PM Public Viewing Hours
7:30PM Meditation on Forgiveness
Local pianist, Pamely Langely will offer a free concert using meditation music. Interfaith readings on forgiveness and reconciliation will be included. A time of reflection, meditation, and renewal.

Press contact:
Andrea LeBlanc
September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows
aldvn@comcast.net