Press Releases

MONTEREY, Calif. --Our world was forever changed by the tragic events that unfolded on Tuesday, September 11th.September 11th was also the International Day of Peace.
"Now, more than ever before, each of us must take responsibility and do all we can to support and further the ideals of Peace and Freedom" says Dan Koffman, founder of the Flag of Peace and Freedom Organization.
In 1981, the United Nations, in their resolution 36/67, declared The International Day of Peace to (originally) be the third Tuesday of September each year. Within the last year, however, they changed the day to be the first Tuesday after the first Monday of September . . . falling this year on the 11th.
On Tuesday, September 18th, an event in honor of the International Day of Peace will take place at 9:30am in front of Koffman Gallery (210 Alvarado Street in Monterey, next to the DoubleTree Hotel). The program will include the raising of the Flag of Peace and Freedom, comments by Koffman, and an opportunity for attendees to express their personal thoughts on Peace and Freedom. This is the 14th year that the Flag has been raised by Koffman to commemorate the International Day of Peace.
The Flag of Peace and Freedom was designed in 1984 and the Flag of Peace Organization founded in 1988 by Pacific Grove artist and Monterey gallery owner Dan Koffman. The images on the Flag he designed depict two birds soaring as the sun pierces the gray clouds and shines down on the world. Koffman wanted to create images of Peace and Freedom that could be shared by all people, transcending words, which can so often be misunderstood.
"Imagine if, one day, Peace and Freedom were celebrated by all the People of all the Nations of the World! Imagine if the Leaders of all the Nations of the World encouraged their people to look up and realize that we all live under the same sky, are warmed by the same sun, marvel at the flight of the birds . . . that we all share the Earth and the responsibility to keep it alive for future generations. Imagine if all the People of the World shared a moment dedicated to the ideals of Peace and Freedom."
Every year, for the past fourteen years, Koffman has corresponded with the Leaders and representatives of all the Nations of the World asking that they request and fly the Flag of Peace and Freedom, sent at no charge, somewhere in their Nation's Capital City on the International Day of Peace.
On the International Day of Peace in recent years, the Flag of Peace has flown over the Capitals of 30 countries: Afghanistan (1989), Albania (1997), Armenia (1993), Austria (1993), The Bahamas (1994), Belize (2000), Brazil (2000), The Cook Islands (1993), Dominica (1994), Egypt (1999), Grenada (1991), Hungary (1998), India (2000), Jordan (1994), Kiribati (1993), Malta (1998), Morocco (1991), Nauru (1995), Nepal (2000), New Zealand ((2000), The Northern Mariana Islands (1995), Peru (1999), the US. Virgin Islands (1990), The British Virgin Islands (1998), Saint Lucia (1998), South Africa (1999), Sri Lanka (1989), The United Kingdom (1999), Vanuatu (1995) and in the United States of America at Washington's Georgetown University (1994).
Monterey County began participation in this peace effort in 1996. The County of Monterey and the Cities of Carmel, Gonzales, Greenfield, Marina, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Salinas, Sand City, Seaside, and Soledad have proclaimed support and have raised the Flag of Peace and Freedom on the International Day of Peace.The Flag of Peace and Freedom supports the efforts of all individuals and organizations who are working for Peace and Freedom.
Koffman has produced a body of artwork around the ideals of Peace and Freedom which are for sale with 50% of the profits to go to the American Red Cross in support of their efforts wherever most needed in the United States.
The Koffman Gallery is located at 210 Alvarado Street, next to the DoubleTree Hotel, please call 831-655-3457 for more information.