BRUNSWICK

Christine DeTroy — who emigrated to the United States from Germany in 1947 at age 19 — said what she witnessed during World War II had a tremendous lifetime impact on her that manifested into activism.

“I’m 88, almost 89, and I don’t quit,” said DeTroy. “War is not the answer. It doesn’t solve problems, it creates revenge.”

This weekend’s Peace Fair — an annual event DeTroy started 13 years ago — is meant to encourage people to speak out for peace, which DeTroy said was not done in Nazi Germany.

DeTroy said the war had a tremendous impact on her that manifested into the discussions and activism in which she participates.

“People were silenced out of fear,” she said. “When I came to the shores of this country, I said, ‘no fear,’ I will speak out and I will bring the conversation to more people.”

The 13th Annual Peace Fair, hosted by Greater Brunswick PeaceWorks, will take place Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Brunswick Mall. Community members of all ages will have opportunities to play, create, sing, learn about what organizations and individuals are doing, take action and talk with each other, according to a press release.

The fair will feature games, including The Compassion Board Game and a variation of Musical Chairs called Scarcity Chairs.

Folks can create origami cranes, beaded bracelets and Peace buttons. Starting at 1 p.m., there will be two hours of music with local musicians including, a Sing Along. There will be a tent with 20 Maine organizations displaying what they are doing to further the cause of peace and justice and encouraging folks to work along with them. Another tent full of petitions, letters to write and/or sign, and invitations to actions. There will also be a refreshments tent.

Last year, about 400 people attended the fair.

“When we look at the world, I think we all want to be able to agree and disagree without resorting to violence,” DeTroy said, adding grief is a constant result of war, especially mechanized war, that impacts everybody.

“We are smart enough to have conversations to resolve issues,” she said.

DeTroy said she hopes the fair has an impact that lasts beyond the day, adding that peace is possible within a family, in the community, the state, nation and the world.

“But it starts within yourself, and instead of fighting back, think how you can help,” she said.

jlaaka@timesrecord.com