AN?inter-faith calendar has been launched by Hampshire County Council.

The calendar was unveiled at a special event in Winchester attended by more than 100 young artists from across Hampshire schools, including those whose 12 designs are featured on the 12 monthly pages.

The designs represent some of the religious festivals that take place throughout the year, for a range of faiths.

Andrew Joy, the county council’s executive member for communities, partnerships and external affairs, said: “Our creative Hampshire schoolchildren should be very proud of their entries to this annual competition, which promotes greater understanding of the different faith groups and cultures across the county.

“I am very impressed by the high standard of artwork. I am also pleased to see young people showing such enthusiasm and respect for a wide range of faiths and their cultures.”

Children from primary, secondary and special schools entered pieces of artwork, inspired by religious education lessons, with each design intended to represent a religious event occurring in any calendar month of the year.

Each winning calendar design relates to one of more than 100 religious festivals from the nine faith groups represented by the Interfaith Network for the UK – Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, Jainism, Zoroastrianism, and the Baha’i faith.

Hampshire County Council is known nationally for the outstanding support it gives to the county’s Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE), which has responsibility for the quality of provision of religious education across the county.

This year’s calendar competition was organised by the Hampshire RE team and the judging panel included representatives from the various religions across Hampshire, including the Church of England, teachers’ associations, and elected members of the county council.

SACRE?chairman Roz Chadd said: “The imagination and creativity of Hampshire school children, captured within this calendar, beautifully expresses and brings to life the wonderful diversity of the different faiths represented. The images are very striking and give a fascinating insight into the religions featured. The calendar incorporates a full monthly planner, making it very useful as well.”

The calendar costs £5, plus postage, and is available online at hants.gov.uk/shop.