By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/photos-irish-temple-offers-unity-and-light Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Photos: In historically divisive Irish city, temple offers unity and light World Mar 17, 2015 3:28 PM EDT In Northern Ireland, in a city notorious for its Protestant-Catholic tensions, a beautifully intricate structure has been drawing large crowds. They’re coming to see a 75-foot wooden temple, the creation of American artist David Best, who also builds structures for the annual “Burning Man” festival in Nevada. Catholics and Protestants came together over two years to build it in Londonderry, also called Derry. It’s open to residents to write about their hopes and dreams on the walls. They have until Saturday to leave their messages. On that day, the temple will be ceremoniously set on fire. Visitors can write messages on the walls of the temple. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Messages remember loved ones and wish happiness and peace. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Protestants and Catholics built the wooden temple over two years. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images The temple is a symbol of Catholic-Protestant unity. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Visitors have until Saturday to leave their messages, because on that day it will be ceremoniously burned. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Follow @NewsHourWorld A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now By — Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko Larisa Epatko produced multimedia web features and broadcast reports with a focus on foreign affairs for the PBS NewsHour. She has reported in places such as Jordan, Pakistan, Iraq, Haiti, Sudan, Western Sahara, Guantanamo Bay, China, Vietnam, South Korea, Turkey, Germany and Ireland. @NewsHourWorld
In Northern Ireland, in a city notorious for its Protestant-Catholic tensions, a beautifully intricate structure has been drawing large crowds. They’re coming to see a 75-foot wooden temple, the creation of American artist David Best, who also builds structures for the annual “Burning Man” festival in Nevada. Catholics and Protestants came together over two years to build it in Londonderry, also called Derry. It’s open to residents to write about their hopes and dreams on the walls. They have until Saturday to leave their messages. On that day, the temple will be ceremoniously set on fire. Visitors can write messages on the walls of the temple. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Messages remember loved ones and wish happiness and peace. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Protestants and Catholics built the wooden temple over two years. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images The temple is a symbol of Catholic-Protestant unity. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Visitors have until Saturday to leave their messages, because on that day it will be ceremoniously burned. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images Follow @NewsHourWorld A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now