Maritza Velásquez, member of the promotional group in Guatemala for the World March for Peace and Nonviolence, announced an invitation to provide lodging for thirty members of the team of participants, currently gathering in New Zealand to kick off the march which, approaching the South American Cone at the end of its route, will pass through Guatemala on December 7, specifically through the City of Esquipulas.
This city, as pointed out by Maritza Velásquez, has conditions and special attributes with which it will try to pay back the treat that comes with receiving the pilgrims for peace, some of whom will gather together once more with their pass through the city.
Such attributes are:
1. Esquipulas is a historic center of spirituality for Central Americans, housing the Black Christ, carved by Quirio Cataño, that dates back to the colonial period in Guatemala.
2. Esquipulas was the host city where the negotiations for the Esquipulas Peace Agreement I and II were initiated and the focus of attention for the Arias Plan of Oscar Arias of Costa Rica.
3. Esquipulas is part of the Trifinio biosphere reserve that joins together El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.
4. Esquipulas celebrates this year the Jubilee, a privilege granted by the Vatican.
5. Esquipulas is on the route of the World March for Peace and Nonviolence.
Along with the invitation, Guatemalan promoters of the World March announced the installation of a commemorative monument of the World March that will be erected in the municipality and at the inauguration of which they expect to invite Nobel Peace Prize Winner Rigoberta Menchú.
*(translation: T.M. Orzolek)*
