2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, but there are many countries around the world still suffering from war and disaster. This work considers the idea of peace and what it stands for in today’s world.

I asked over 300 people, aged 5 to 97, from 46 different countries to tell me what “peace” means to them or to describe a moment of peace in their daily life. Their words are written on thin wooden boards called teita that were traditionally used to record trade between people and hung in a bamboo dome symbolizing hope and a bright future.

In the calm, harmonious environment of Nakanojo, I hope everyone is inspired to think about what peace means to them personally, and to remember those whose lives are still affected by conflict.