Global Candlelight Vigil for the Iraq Museum April 9, 2009

The not-for-profit organization SAFE/Saving Antiquities for Everyone, Inc., announced its plan to organize, promote and help facilitate a three-day Global candlelight Vigil on April 10- 12, 2009 to mark the sixth anniversary of the tragic ransacking of the Iraq Museum in Baghdad. On April 10- 12, 2003, countless invaluable works of art and artifacts were systematically stolen from the Museum and many remain missing today. Recently, the Iraq Museum reopened seven of its galleries. While this has been seen by some as a success story, serious concerns remain about the security of the objects and the destruction of archaeological sites in Iraq and all over the world continues. So it is on April 10- 12 that we will come together to acknowledge our stewardship and responsibility in protecting those artifacts and sites that are part of our global cultural heritage.

On April 10- 12, 2007, SAFE organized its first global candlelight vigil to commemorate the tragic events of April 2003 and help raise awareness of the need for action to protect the cultural heritage. Individuals, schools, universities, museums, and groups around the world participated. In April 2008 the vigil became an annual event.

We invite all to join us this year by hosting vigils in your local areas. Hosting a vigil is easy, and our downloadable step-by-step vigil tools (http://savingantiquities.org/vigiltools.php) will help you to plan, publicize, and record your vigil. Once your vigil has been registered, it will be listed on our website so that others will see it and may attend. Together, we can fight to keep our past for our future.

For more information please visit our website at http://savingantiquities.org/candlelightvigils.php.

To host a vigil in your area, register with us at http://savingantiquities.org/hostvigil.php.

If interested in attending a vigil, find a location near you at http://savingantiquities.org/attendvigil.php.

Also, be sure to light a virtual candle and add your name to the list of supporters here http://savingantiquities.org/virtualcandle.php.

We have not forgotten. Light a candle with us.

Official Website: http://savingantiquities.org/attendvigil.php.