UNC Asheville to Host Exhibit, Lecture Series on Religious Pilgrimages

UNC Asheville will host a gallery exhibit and lecture series on religious pilgrimages from February 22-April 22. “In the Footsteps of Pilgrims: Historic Travels of Faith” explores the cultural, political and economic issues of religious travels from the viewpoints of five religious traditions. Artifacts and photographs from various pilgrimages will be on display throughout UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union. In conjunction with the exhibition, faculty, students and community members will give presentations on pilgrimages that they participated in. These lunchtime lectures will take place on Tuesdays from 12:15-1 p.m. in the Highsmith University Union Gallery. An optional half-hour guided tour of the artifact exhibit will follow each lecture.

**On February 22, Rae Hearne will give a talk on “Pilgrimage of Peace on the Camino de Santiago.” During this lecture, Hearne will discuss and share pictures of her journey on the ancient road in northern Spain.

**On March 1, Rev. Frank Cancro will share his wisdom from leading pilgrimages all over the world.

**On March 15, Dr. Peter and Jasmin Gentling will give a talk and slide presentation on “Pilgrimage to Shikoku,” where they joined a group of Japanese Buddhists for a pilgrimage to an island off the coast of Japan.

**On March 22, Dr. Rick Chess, UNC Asheville literature and language professor and UNC Asheville sophomore Jenna Gold will give a talk on their recent travels to Jerusalem.

**On March 29, Keya Maitra, UNC Asheville assistant professor of philosophy, will discuss Hindu pilgrimages to Varanasi, India.

**On April 5, Dr. Khalid Bashir will speak about the Muslim tradition of making Hajj to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.

For more information, call UNC Asheville’s Center for Diversity Education at 828/232-5024.

 Media Contacts:

• Deborah Miles, UNC Asheville Center for Diversity Education, 828/232-5024
• Jill Yarnall, UNC Asheville Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526