Peace light brings hope and cohesion to Vorarlberg

Peace light brings hope and cohesion to Vorarlberg

Dornbirn, Österreich - On the evening of December 19, 2024, the ORF Landesfunkhaus Vorarlberg in Dornbirn became the scene of a symbolic event. The ORF peace light, a light symbolically made of Bethlehem, was received by numerous religious representatives. In view of the current circumstances in the Middle East, traditional inflammation could not take place in the birthplace of Christ. Nevertheless, the scouts kept the light all year round and now brought it to Austrian households. The ÖBB participates in the spread of peace light and transports it across the country with its trains. This is supported by local fire brigades and scouts that bring it to all Vorarlberg cities and municipalities, as reported by Vorarlberg.orf.at.

variety of religious communities combined

The arrival celebration was accompanied by various personalities from the religious spectrum, including diocesan bishop Benno Elbs and representatives of the Evangelical, Islamic, Jewish, Orthodox and Bahá’í Community. Markus Klement, the state director of ORF Vorarlberg, emphasized the importance of peace light as a sign of cohesion and hope that radiates beyond religious and cultural borders. His goal is that light reaches all people in the Vorarlberg households, regardless of the background or belief. This illustrates a clear commitment to interreligious cooperation, as the event illustrated. Stefan Höfel, project manager of the project light into the dark, recalled that the peace light has symbolized hope since 1986 that shines in difficult times, which underlines the importance of this tradition.