The Grand Banquet and Auction was held on the evening of September 27, 2012. It was a remarkable success.
That morning I came to see my Terracotta Warriors together for the first and last time before they were taken to new homes. The hall was quiet, even serene in anticipation of the evening’s celebration. It was a perfect time to reconnect with my Warriors, for that is how I will always remember them. More importantly, they were the Warriors for children with disabilities.
The media release given by BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities demonstrates how a community can rally behind a worthy endeavour. The Terracotta Warriors raised $170,000 for Easter Seals British Columbia. My thirty-four Terracotta Warriors, all which had been on public display since April 2012, were the stars of the evening.
As I said good-bye to my Warriors, I recalled the words of Lao Tzu
“We join spokes together in a wheel,
but it is the center hole
that makes the wagon move.
We shape clay into a pot,
but it is the emptiness inside
that holds whatever we want.
We hammer wood for a house,
but it is the inner space
that makes it livable.
We work with being,
but non-being is what we use.”
― Lao Tzu
Wow! You owned the Warriors? I did not know that although I saw your previous posts. I remember you mentioned the name of the artist….so you bought them from an artist and then donated them! You are a philanthropist! Respectfully yours, my friend. You have to come to visit the Warriors in SF!
LikeLike
Oh no!!! I just felt they belonged to me after I had found them on the streets of Vancouver! There was a auction and everyone participated!!! It was a community effort, from artists to the people who created the remarkable banquet! I have so enjoyed your posts on the original Warriors. That is what I enjoy most about blogging – the shared knowledge and experiences!
LikeLike
Indeed your community is very generous and supportive. I nearly forgot to thank yo for this Lao Tzu quote. You know what. The text in Chinese is even more difficult to understand. I like your translated version as it is very clear about what Lao Tzu said. I know you did not translate it. Like your Warriors, your quote has a supportive contributor!
LikeLike
The more I read Lao Tzu, the more I appreciate his ability to share wisdom to enlighten our lives.
LikeLike
a fitting tribute to your warriors 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you!! I loved chasing them down. They were out in the public for over 6 months, without any harm being done to them. Everyone knew they were supporting children…
LikeLike
So beautiful, must be hard to let go, but they are going to do so much for the children. The detail and color are just extraordinary.
LikeLike
Indeed it was very hard! They each took on a personality. Now, I must found another project….onward!!!
LikeLike
I have to say beautiful work,such detail, I have seen this post many times, and the color so vivid.
oh what a word, I am writing a poem will use it, I know you do not stop Clan Mother that is what makes you so unique.
LikeLike
I am coming over to your place. Colour adds vibrancy to our lives….
LikeLike