The feeling of togetherness and peace culminated in singers performing Bob Marley's "One Love" as the stage filled with performers from across cultures and genres.
A gathering of several hundred people meditated together after a message of peace by Art of Living founder Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who addressed the gathering live from Germany. The event was streamed via the Internet, allowing viewers throughout the Art of Living network to follow the programme.
Art of Living invited the AIDS Foundation and Hope Foundation to fuse their annual AIDS Candlelight Memorial with "Celebrating Humanity." This collaboration was praised by Prime Minister Sarah Wescot-Williams. She said the fight against AIDS must not be "dwarfed" by the number of infections or people living with the disease; rather, it should be confronted head-on.
Public Health Minister Cornelius de Weever recalled the days of fear surrounding the disease and the strides made today. He called for compassion and for each individual to take responsibility for his or her role in the community.
The evening's diversity saw performances of the Lion Dance by the Chinese Community, ballet choreographed to the words of poetry, African drumming setting the rhythm for South Indian dance, sign language and ringing voices.
A special highlight of the evening was the merging of steel pan music, performed by Isidore "Mighty Dow" York with that of the Scottish harp played by Mary Sommerville. This was described as a world's first by Art of Living International Teacher Dushyant Savadia.
This diversity was praised by National Alliance (NA) leader William Marlin. He said the new NA-led government would "embrace the need for inner peace." He called for the Art of Living breathing workshop to be given to the Members of Parliament and the Council of Ministers.
Independent MP Frans Richardson called on businesses to be more proactive in creating a peaceful life for their employees and families.
Prominent businessman Danny Ramchandani said St. Maarten was a place where people had greeted and smiled at each other more than 25 years ago, but had changed and the need to bring back that togetherness was paramount. Businesses have contributed a lot over the years individually and the need to come together was paramount, he said as he called for businesses to give not only money, but time.
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