66 Years Ago

Every year on this day (August 6) Japan holds its Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony in remembrance of the victims of the Atomic Bomb, and as a prayer for everylasting world peace. The ceremony starts at 8am in front of the Memorial Cenotaph in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which also includes the "not eternal" flame which will continue to burn until the last atomic weapon is destroyed. I was lucky enough to attend this ceremony on August 6, 2001. If you click on the title, it is linked to the Mayor´s Declaration of Peace for 2001.

The ceremony started with the traditional dedication of water (to symbolise the water the victims desperately needed on that day but could not find). After which the officials gave their respective addresses and a flower dedication was made to the victims of the atomic bomb. At 8.15am everyone went quiet for the silent prayer and the ringing of the peace bell, which is always rung by a Hibakusha family member and a children´s representative. This lasted 1 minute and it was impossible not to have goosebumps from the emotion that part of the ceremony evoked. The mayor of Hiroshima gave his annual Peace Declaration, after which doves were released to symbolise Hiroshima´s hope for peace. The children of Hiroshima and the Prime Minister of Japan addressed the public before Hiroshima´s Peace song was sung and the ceremony was drawn to an end.

Official Ceremony

 In the story "Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes" we learn of the horrors that the children of Hiroshima had to face, not only on August 6, but also the years that followed. This tale is one of courage and human spirit, and it is Sadako´s statue in the Peace Park of Hiroshima that represents all the child victims of this crime. Many people flock to her statue bringing paper cranes they have made as a token of their personal wish for world peace, and to pay their respects to the victims of the bombing.

Senbazuru

Floating Lanterns

Candles near Gembaku Dome

As the day unfolds, there are many activities held around the park, but for me the most beautiful was at sunset, where many people gathered at the riverbank to light lanterns and offer them to the river in memory of the victims, who on August 6, 1945 could not find comfort in the river as it was a burning, radioactive hell. It is a solemn occasion, as people write messages of peace and love before releasing their lanterns to the river.

Around the once city hall, and now a world heritatge site, the Atomic Dome is lit up with thousands of candles that people decorate and leave as a hope for peace and to bring light on this day. 

It was an experience I shall never forget, and I spent 3 weeks preparing my 1000 paper cranes to leave under Sadako´s statue. On this day, my wish for world peace and for an end of this eternal violence is stronger than ever. 

As an afterthought: Hiroshima always has a blazing hot summer´s day every August 6, some people say that it to remind us of how the victims felt when the bomb was unleashed on the city, now 66 years ago. 

Photos from Google Images. No copyright infringement intended, I will remove them if need be.