John Lennon’s spirit catches light across the world

Julian Lennon and Liverpool Lord Mayor, Cllr Mike Storey have sent thirty symbolic ‘White Feather: Spirit of Lennon' candles across the globe with the aim of spreading a message of peace and raising awareness of humanitarian issues.

First to take part in the global ceremony will be US Mayor of East Liverpool in Ohio, Jim Swoger, who will ceremonially light the White Feather candle in front of a landmark building in his city such as the Carnegie Library or the East Liverpool Alumni Clock Tower.

Local leaders around the world have been asked to light a White Feather candle in front of a significant landmark in each city following the symbolic lighting of a candle in June by Julian Lennon and the Lord Mayor outside the Beatles Story in Liverpool. Photos of these candle-lighting ceremonies will be sent back to Liverpool and used to raise awareness of environmental and humanitarian issues across the globe.

Each candle has been embellished with the symbol of a white feather. As Julian explains: "One of the things my father said to me was that should he pass away, if there was some way of letting me know he was going to be ok, it was by in some shape or form, presenting me with a white feather."

Then, around ten years ago while Julian was on tour in Australia, a group of Aborigines presented him with a white feather, asking him to be the voice for their plight. This episode motivated Julian to set up The White Feather Foundation, a newly founded charity that raises funds to improve the lives of others and spread a message of peace.

These international candle lighting ceremonies coincide with a new exhibition now open in Liverpool - White Feather: Spirit of Lennon. On display at the Beatles Story - the world's leading permanent Beatles-themed visitor attraction - the exhibition tells the intimate personal story of life with John Lennon that only Julian and Cynthia can give.

Through personal on-screen conversations, Julian and Cynthia take visitors on a journey through their family life - re-living phases of a story which begins in Liverpool in the band's early days. A wealth of previously unshared personal possessions and Beatles heirlooms are on display.

Jerry Goldman, Managing Director of the Beatles Story said, "The symbol of a white feather has been prevalent in Julian's life. We felt that the power and meaning attached to this symbol in the White Feather: Spirit of Lennon exhibition should be used to raise awareness of the plight of people affected by war and environmental issues across the world."

Cllr Mike Storey, Lord Mayor of Liverpool said: "Julian Lennon and I recently lit a symbolic candle in Liverpool which represents the spirit of John Lennon; one of the world's great music icons. Through lighting the candle we want to spread the message of peace and betterment of all life around the world; ideals which John Lennon sought to raise awareness of in the sixties and which John's first son Julian is now carrying on."