UPF Inaugurates IAACP Europe & Middle East

Europe & Middle East – UPF-Europe and Middle East (EUME) marked a historic milestone with the official inauguration of the International Association of Arts and Culture for Peace (IAACP), one of the eight pillars under UPF, on April 20, 2026. This celebratory event, held online and hosted by aspiring young Slovenian filmmaker and MC of the evening Mr. Kristian Irgl, brought together a global community – from Nigeria to Korea – to honor the transformative power of creativity in the pursuit of global harmony.

The evening began with a 60-year retrospective of the Arts for Peace movement, tracing its path from the 1960s with The Little Angels, New Hope Singers, Universal Ballet, and New York City Symphony to its current new form as the IAACP. It proved that art is more than aesthetic – it is a vital tool for global diplomacy and human understanding.

The inauguration received support from prestigious international guests. Mr. Jacques Marion, president of UPF-EUME, and Dr. Dieter Schmidt, vice president of Family Federation for World Peace and Unification (FFWPU) EUME, celebrated the enduring power of the creative spirit. A heartfelt message from Ambassador of Peace Dr. Jozef Terék, member of the Public Body of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and of the Public Body of the Hungarian Academy of Arts, read by Ms. Erzsébet Sturmné Tomka, president of UPF-Hungary, further emphasized that art serves as a universal language capable of uniting nations. Ms. Eva Pejkofski, chair of IAACP-EUME, shared an inspiring vision for the region, highlighting the growing network of national chapters dedicated to this mission.

The celebration reached a peak with the toast proposed by Ms. Pejkofski and the performance of the Halelu Cantata by David Eaton and David D'or, an Israeli singer, composer, and songwriter. Maestro David Eaton, a renowned conductor and composer, offered his congratulations and profound insights into the moral authority of the arts and their capacity to foster interfaith harmony. The evening was further graced by a message from the celebrated operatic soprano Ms. Seiko Lee, who reminded all present that music and all arts possess the unique ability to transcend physical borders and unite hearts.

This inauguration serves as a vibrant call to action, marking the beginning of a new era where the arts stand at the forefront of building a lasting culture of peace across Europe and the Middle East.

By Eva Pejkofski, Chair, IAACP-EUME April 20, 2026