BY KAREN BOSSICK

The third annual origami project to promote peace and honor the holiday season will kick off Thursday, Dec. 12.

The Hailey Public Library will host two free workshops to show people how to fold Origami cranes, which are a symbol of peace and happiness in many Asian countries and said to bring good luck to those who fold them.

The first will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, at Hailey Town Center West. The second will be offered from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the town center at 116 S. River St. Workshop participants will be invited to fold more cranes with family and friends at home.

And young children are invited to fold fun versions of simple Origami birds and dogs at the Hailey Public Library’s Maker Space.

All cranes will be gathered on Wednesday, Dec. 18, and strung on thread. They will be displayed at the library, starting on Dec. 21—the Winter Solstice.

“The crane peace project is a bit like a quilting bee with folks coming together to work on a beautiful and heartwarming project,” said Kristin Fletcher, the library’s education and engagement manager. “Over the years, we’ve been astounded by the interest in learning to fold peace cranes and the delight on people’s faces when they see the cranes suspended from the library’s ceiling. The cranes swing ever so slightly with the passage of each patron underneath and at times it feels like they are truly living birds in flight.” 

A short loving-kindness meditation will be offered by members of the Flourish Foundation’s Compassionate Leaders at the beginning of both workshops.

“We believe that this symbolic project will contribute to peace in our deeply troubled world by gathering people together in community to contribute to a heartfelt project,” Fletcher said. “But we couldn’t do this without the help of numerous community leaders and we thank Flourish Foundation’s Compassionate Leaders for their participation over the years.”

P.S. The library could use more facilitators and volunteers for the project. If interested, email Kristin.fletcher@haileypubliclibrary.org.