THE CHICAGO AIRPORT SYSTEM CELEBRATES THE CULTURES OF THE WORLD DURING UNITY MONTH
Airport Interfaith Service and "Taste of the World" Reception
Kick- Off Unity Month 2001 at O'Hare
(CHICAGO) -- September 5, 2001. The Chicago Department of Aviation and the Commission on Human Relations launch the City of Chicago's Unity Month celebrations at Chicago's airports. O'Hare continues the tradition with an Interfaith Service followed by a "Taste of the World" Reception.
"I can truly say that Department of Aviation employees come from all over the world, bringing their culture, expertise and appreciation for human difference to be shared with other co-workers and the thousands of travelers that pass through O'Hare and Midway," said Chicago Aviation Commissioner Thomas R. Walker.
"Chicago's airports represent a melting pot of diverse ethnic backgrounds and languages where employees and travelers come together. What better place to kick off the City's Unity Month celebrations than at O'Hare International Airport," Walker added.
The Interfaith Service will be led by six spiritual leaders from various faiths invited by Department of Aviation employees to perform a shared ceremony. The service celebrates people coming together regardless of differences to promote respect for diversity while encouraging cooperation among different groups.
Members of the acclaimed Redmoon Theater, including eight costumed performers on stilts, will lead a processional to the "Taste of the World" Reception that will follow the Interfaith Service. Nine of O'Hare's airline partners are sponsoring the "Taste of the World" Reception, featuring cuisine from the cultures of the countries they serve.
A photographic exhibit of Department of Aviation employees working together demonstrates the true meaning of "Unity." Many colleagues are highlighted in various working capacities representative of the airport community.
The Material World exhibit will also be featured at O'Hare during Unity Month. The exhibit represents a Global Family Portrait featuring photos of families around the world participating in everyday situations. Images from the exhibit will be changed throughout the month to reflect different the different themes of unity.
O'Hare is also proud to present samples of world music on various stages throughout the terminals during the month of September. Celtic Fest Chicago will be celebrated at O'Hare and Midway on September 14th and the World Music Festival will delight travelers on September 21st.
Unity Month originated ten years ago to coincide with the anniversary of the 1963 Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. Unity Month's theme promotes respect for diversity and encourages cooperation among different groups.
"The epic March of 1963 still inspires us as a milestone in the history of cooperation among people of difference," said Clarence Wood, Chairman of the City of Chicago's Commission on Human Relations. "The City of Chicago's Unity Month celebrations mark ten years of celebrating people coming together regardless of race, religion, national origin, age, handicap, gender, sexual orientation or other labels."
Unity Month 2001 marks the fifth consecutive year the Chicago Airport System celebrates the event's awareness.
