For more than two decades, Paul Sladkus has been the steady hand and visionary behind International Peace Day and its stirring Pause for Peace concert, weaving together art, music, and humanity into a single living tapestry of hope. For 22 years, he has given the world a stage in New York City, reminding us that in spite of conflict, division, and noise, harmony is still possible when people gather under one rhythm of unity. This year’s celebration stood as one of the most breathtaking to date—an unfolding story of voices, instruments, and images that felt both timeless and urgently new.
The day opened in Times Square, where the hum of the city was transformed into a choir of nations. A Woodstock-era video tribute of Jackie DeShannon’s “Put a Little Love in Your Heart” set the tone—an invocation of peace from one generation to the next, bridging decades with a single, undeniable message. It was the perfect gateway into the live performances that followed, each artist offering a piece of themselves to a crowd that represented the world.
AY and OMMM brought spiritual resonance, their artistry vibrating through the square like mantras rising into the sky. Irene Michaels graced the stage with the effortless sophistication of someone who has walked through every corner of the entertainment world, yet never lost her ability to sing directly to the soul. Prince Parker—fresh off his growing recognition as a FENIX artist—delivered electricity with every note, uniting contemporary fire with the idealism of the moment. Mark “MK” McLaughlin added his powerful energy, a performance threaded with both grit and grace, amplifying the heartbeat of the day.
But the magic did not lie solely in individual performances. It was the seamlessness of it all—the way Jackie’s voice on the screen seemed to lead into Irene’s, the way Parker’s passion lifted the energy higher, the way OMMM’s tones quieted the restless city into meditation. It was as though Paul had taken the countless fragments of music, activism, and memory and arranged them into a single, harmonious mosaic.
Adding further depth to the day was the support of Allan Klepfisz and FENIX360, whose vision for empowering artists and amplifying global voices aligned perfectly with the mission of Peace Day. Their presence underscored the concert’s dual identity: both an event of historic resonance and a forward-looking platform for the artists who will carry peace into the future.
Still, at the center of it all was Paul Sladkus. For 22 years, he has carried the weight of producing Peace Day not for himself, but for the world. His ability to blend icons and emerging voices, past and present, spirituality and spectacle, is a gift few possess. This year, more than ever, it became clear that his legacy is not only in producing a concert, but in cultivating a tradition—an annual reminder that peace is not passive, but something we must gather together to create, sing, and celebrate.
In the end, as the lights of Times Square glowed like a thousand candles and the echoes of music faded into the September evening, there was no mistaking what had just been accomplished. Paul Sladkus had once again transformed a city street into a sanctuary, and for one day, the world paused together for peace.
Photo Credits: Billy Hess