The 12th Annual RVA Peace Festival, featuring performances,

art, a meditation labyrinth and workshops, will be held 11 a.m. to

5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, at Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church,

6000 Grove Ave.

Organizers said the festival is an opportunity to foster a deeper

understanding between the diverse cultures and faiths that form

the rich tapestry of Richmond’s community.

The festival was created in 2004 in response to rising fear

and Islamophobia in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists

attacks.

This year’s event will feature performances from the Ezibu

Muntu African dancers, the Latin Ballet of Virginia, Sri Sai Dance

Academy and Falun Dafa Chinese Dancers. The Richmond Boys

Choir also will perform.

Mexican and Middle Eastern food will be available for

purchase.

For the first time, the festival will include a “Mini Memoir

Exhibit” hosted by the Chrysalis Institute. People from across

the Richmond region have submitted six-word memoirs about

their lives over the course of the year, which will be displayed

as a visual tapestry at the festival.

The RVA Peace Festival is sponsored by the Interfaith Council

of Greater Richmond, the Chrysalis Institute, the Richmond

Peace Education Center and Saint Stephen’s Episcopal Church’s

Center for Interfaith Reconciliation.

The festival is free and open to the public.

Details: www.rvapeacefestival.org