FINAL PUSH to the Star Finish Line!
One Million Stars to End Violence: Lotus International Star-Weaving Project
Mathers Museum of World Cultures
416 N. Indiana Ave.
January 16th (MLK Day)
1:00 – 5:00 pm
(Two sessions: 1-3pm or 3-5pm . . . attend one or both)
FREE and open to the public; Recommended for ages 8 and up, including families and groups.

Pre-registration is not required for individuals, but groups/families (5 or more people) are asked to please register in advance so that we can plan for space and seating; contact Loraine Martin at Loraine@lotusfest.org or (812) 336-6599

NOTE: Parking is FREE all day in both IU spaces/lots and City of Bloomington metered spaces/lots – enjoy!
Accessibility: An access ramp is located at the Fess Avenue entrance, on the corner of Ninth Street and Fess Avenue.

Learn, weave, and make your voice heard on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 2017!  Weave a star with Lotus and join a worldwide movement….and help our community reach the Star Finish Line.

The powerful “One Million Stars to End Violence” project, founded in Australia, was inspired by MLK, Jr.: “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Lotus joins 150+ global partners leading our communities to each contribute 10,000 stars (we’re at 7500+ as of November 2017) as symbols of light and solidarity against all forms of violence.  The final stars will be sent to Australia to become part of a worldwide installation of 1,000,000 stars in 2018 at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.

Attend one or both sessions (1-3pm or 3-5pm). Instructors will teach the Samoan star-weaving technique and share more about this Australian-led initiative.  Light refreshments are provided.

Grant funding is provided by the City of Bloomington Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Celebration Commission through Service for Peace, Serve Indiana, and the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.

More About One Million Stars:

The “One Million Stars” project originated as a response to a violent act against a woman in Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia that sparked much public outrage with 20,000 people protesting in the streets.  Project founder Maryann Talia Pau found resonance between Dr. Martin Luther’s King, Jr.’s statement, which was found in a note at the memorial site for the victim, and the importance of stars and weaving in her Pacific Island heritage. Weaving traditions are strong throughout South Pacific culture, especially with the indigenous peoples of the Torres Strait and Samoa. Additionally, symbolism stems from “Matariki”, a Maori word referring to the Pleiades star cluster. Like many South Pacific islanders, the Maori relied on stars to navigate across the sea between interconnected islands. This navigation can reference our own human journey, spanning cultures around the world, exercising our “strength to love” over violence. Says Pau, “Every woven star reminds us that we have to MAKE peace and safe spaces and that it doesn’t just happen. Every star is a commitment to resist violence and revenge, to believe in forgiveness and healing.”  Lotus was the second US-based partner in this important project, and is now one of 150+ Star Weave Communities around the world.