Episcopalian Priest Auctions Painted Donkeys to Promote Peace in Egypt

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS

By Ernest Disney-Britton

‘Caravan: In Peace and with Compassion’ is a UK fundraiser for Egyptian charities that includes an exhibition of donkeys. Inspired by the CowParade, the public-art mega-event that has seen herds of painted life-size fibre glassanimals pass through cities including Chicago (1999) and Cincinnati (2000). Thousands of people turn out to see them, and thousands-of-dollars are raised for local charities through auctions. Reverend Paul-Gordon Chandler, the Cairo-based Episcopalian priest launched and curated this event, saying donkeys were the obvious choice for his city. "Donkeys have great symbolism in both Cairo’s faiths (Islam and Christianity), which see them as representing peace and humility. Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey before his death. And the second caliph entered the city on a donkey."

Exhibition Book Cover