Austrian Ceremony

Each year a child from Upper Austria is chosen to collect the Peace Light from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem into an explosion-proof lamp. Austrian Airlines then flies the flame to Austria. 


On the third Saturday in Advent, Pfadfinder und Pfadfinderinnen Osterreichs, the Austrian National Scout Organization, hosts a multinational distribution ceremony ("Friedenslichtaussendungsfeier") to share the Peace Light with national delegations of Scouts for further distribution. Each year approximately 1200 people from more than 20 different nations attend the event.


The 2020 and 2021 Austrian Peace Light ceremonies were delivered virtually because of the Covid-19 health and safety restrictions. A very small gathering was held in Salzburg, with international delegations invited to submit a short video message to be included in the ceremony. During the broadcast ceremony, a candle was lit from the Peace Light for every nation taking part; Peace Light North America was honored to participate. 

2023 Peace Light

"I am Pillar from Bethlehem.  Let's go to the church where Jesus was born."  "The 12 year old Pillar is on her way to one of the noblest churches in the world, the birthplace in Bethlehem. Here, where according to tradition Jesus was born, the girl lights the Light of Peace.""This is the Light of Peace 2023.""Our longtime camera man Valid Kamar, whose family has been a part of the Peace Light project since its beginning, brings the Light over the long distance to Jordan, because the air traffic from Tel Aviv has been severely limited. From the Jordanian capital, Amman, a regular flight of Austrian Airlines takes the Peace Light to Vienna."

Photos & Videos

2023

Photos from the Austrian organizers.

The US and Peace Light North America are represented by Scouts from BSA's Transatlantic Council.  Many thanks to TAC Commissioner Jeff Arter for capturing and sharing these photos.

2022

2021

2020