Bells for Peace, Yoko Ono's Latest Peace Movement

Yoko Ono's latest artwork, Bells for Peace, will see people ring 4,000 bells across the city of Manchester. The event, which invites the people of Manchester to send a message of peace to the world, will be located at Cathedral Gardens today, July 4th. 

The event, which is also part of Manchester International Festival, will be free to attend and is the first major piece of work Yoko Ono that has created in the city. While she will be unable to attend in person, she will appear on screen to lead visitors through a series of instructions from 18:00 BST. 

In addition to the 4,000 ceramic bells which have been specifically hand-crafted and engraved for the occasion, Ono is also adding antique church bells and a Buddhist bell to create a richer sound. The organisers of the festival are also encouraging attendees to bring along bells of their own.  

Yoko Ono told the BBC News she wanted to be involved "because Manchester has strength and energy". She added that the event would have "an incredible vibration" that "might just change the world".