For nearly 40 years, the Peace Light of Bethlehem has been shared around the world as part of a charitable relief mission. Now it has come to Monaco, where it has been accepted with reverence by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene.
The passing of the Peace Light of Bethlehem is a tradition that began in 1986 in Austria as part of a charitable relief mission for the benefit of disabled children and those in need. Spearheaded by the Austrian Broadcast Company, it has become a global event and more than 20 countries around the world have been honoured with its presence over the years.
Each year, just before Christmas, a child from the Oberösterreich region of Austria travels to Bethlehem in Palestine and lights a lantern from the eternal flame of the Nativity Grotto, which signifies the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The Peace Light is then returned to Austria, before being shared with other nations in Europe and further afield by a member of Austria’s Scouts and Guides associations.
The Peace Light has also been presented to an array of international figures, from Pope John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis to Mikhail Gorbachev, former EU President Romano Prodi and members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. It also once travelled to the UN Troops in Kosovo and goes yearly to Ground Zero in New York City.
MONACO’S PRINCE AND PRINCESS ACCEPT FLAME
Earlier this week, Prince Albert and Princess Charlene accepted the lantern from 10-year-old Scout Michael Putz during a special ceremony in the Salon Europe of the Palais Princier de Monaco. The lantern now resides in the Nativity scene erected in the courtyard of the Palace.
Also present at the occasion: the Governor of Upper Austria, Thomas Stelzer; Monseigneur Dominique-Marie David, Archbishop of Monaco; and numerous Austrian and Monegasque representatives.
Click on the images below to see more from the event:
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Photo credit: Eric Mathon / Palais Princier de Monaco