The volunteer organization “Wandern für den Frieden e.V.” (Hiking for Peace) is organizing the Peacewave Festival (www.peacewavefestival.org) for the third and final time on Easter Monday, April 6, 2026. More than 1.5 million lights will be lit worldwide to promote tolerance, environmental protection, and world peace. A global online meditation will take place at 2 p.m., followed by a vibrant program at Heldenplatz in Vienna starting at 5 p.m.
(Vienna) – With the broad support of civil society and religious communities, indigenous tribes, and many individuals worldwide, a shared path is being forged. The goal is to raise awareness that a good future is only possible through compassion for all people and for our planet.
“People are united by their desire for peace and a good life on a healthy planet. Through their lights and prayers, which are listed on our website, we make these people visible. Everyone agrees: the path of peace must be followed, and measures to protect our environment must be implemented,” explains Isabella Haschke, chairwoman and founder of the association “Wandern für den Frieden e.V.” (Hiking for Peace).
Among the well-known supporters of the Peacewave Festival and the worldwide lights are the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Grünwidl, Rabbi Moss, and First Imam Sehic. The association is now also in contact with the Vatican and hopes for a global appeal from the Pope.
On April 6, over 1.5 million lights will be lit worldwide by civilians, civil society groups and members of various religious traditions – including indigenous communities, Jewish, Baháʼí, Protestant, Catholic, Buddhist, Sufi, ISKCON, Muslim, MaitriBodh-Parivaar, Agni-Hotra and religious communities.
All events are listed on the website www.peacewavefestival.org, making it easy for interested individuals to find public actions in their area. This creates a visible, cross-religious and cross-group symbol for greater tolerance, environmental protection, and world peace. These actions include candles at home, candlelit processions, candles in religious services, seas of lights in public squares, Agni Hotra fire ceremonies, fires at indigenous gatherings, prayers, and a global online meditation. Individuals and groups can easily register their candles via the website’s homepage.
The Peacewave Festival is taking place for the third and final time. A peace march will begin at 4 pm at Schwedenplatz, followed by a diverse and free program at Heldenplatz in Vienna starting at 5 pm. The program includes speeches and readings, dance, Yiddish songs, and pop music – there’s something for everyone. The website provides the exact schedule, speakers, and performers.
About “Hiking for Peace e.V.”
“Hiking for Peace e.V.” is a non-profit, non-commercial, and politically independent peace movement founded in 2021 by physician Isabella Haschke. The association organizes hikes, walks, demonstrations, and multi-day peace marches on a volunteer basis.
There are now 25 groups worldwide, including in Germany, Sweden, Italy, Iceland, Canada, and Uganda.
Regular group hikes in Vienna promote tolerance, environmental protection, and world peace. The association also organizes larger events. For example, in spring 2023, a six-day peace march from Vienna to Győr (153 km) took place.
The first Peacewave Festival, held on April 1, 2024, at Vienna’s Heldenplatz, was a great success with its diverse program. In addition to a video message from Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen, greetings from the Dalai Lama and Auxiliary Bishop Turnovszky, there were speeches by numerous representatives of religious and social organizations, as well as a varied cultural program including music, readings, and theater.
The second Peacewave Festival on April 21, 2025, also offered a diverse program. This included video messages from Heinz Fischer, Auxiliary Bishop Turnovszky, and human rights activist Payam Akhavan; greetings from the Dalai Lama and Pope Francis; speeches from numerous representatives of religious communities; as well as music, poetry, and art projects. The highlight was a vast sea of lights in Vienna’s Heldenplatz, accompanied by simultaneous light displays, peace fires, and candles for greater tolerance, environmental protection, and world peace throughout Austria and on every continent.
Further information about the association, its background, hikes, and activities can be found at:
Other hiking dates/events in Vienna:
- Sunday, March 8, 2026: City Hiking Trail 12
- Easter Monday, April 6, 2026: 3rd Peacewave Festival at Vienna’s Heldenplatz
- Sunday, May 31, 2026
