Local officials and community leaders meet at the International Friendship Bell in Oak Ridge to talk about the city and some of its history in a live international webcast that was part of Saturday’s World Bell Festival. Pictured from left are Ray Smith, Shigeko Uppuluri, Katy Brown, Charlie Hensley, and Jeanie and Bill Wilcox.
A few dozen people turned out Saturday to celebrate the World Bell Festival in Oak Ridge.
The International Friendship Bell in Oak Ridge represented North America during the festival, held in Apolda, Germany.
Local organizers used the Internet to connect to the festival and televise the ringing of the Friendship Bell. They also broadcast a short ceremony with Oak Ridge community leaders on Saturday afternoon at A.K. Bissell Park.
Other activities at the nearby Pollard Auditorium included hand bell demonstrations, children’s crafts, free international food samples, and a live stream of the festival for public viewing.
The World Bell Festival is held every five years, and it celebrates the bell-making tradition and heritage of Apolda, Germany. Most of the event took place in Apolda with live broadcasts and intermissions of music and messages from international partners, including Oak Ridge.
The International Friendship bell was dedicated to the city of Oak Ridge on May 3, 1996, as part of the city’s 50th anniversary and to commemorate growing friendship and peace with Japan.
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