Hiroshima citizens’ group delivers “Friendship Certificate” from the British city of Coventry to Hiroshima Mayor
Sep. 24, 2020
by Kyosuke Mizukawa
On September 23, the Hiroshima Coventry Club, a citizens’ group in Hiroshima that has interacted with the British city of Coventry, delivered to Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, a “Friendship Certificate” that connects both cities. The certificate, sent from Coventry, confirmed the goodwill of the two cities in their commitment to building peace, and was drawn up in a memorial gathering held on August 6 in Coventry for atomic bomb victims, and marking the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing.
During World War II, many people in Coventry were killed by a series of bombing raids by Germany, and after the war the city proceeded with community development, focusing on peace and reconciliation. The city has held a memorial gathering for A-bomb victims August 6 every year since 1987, and the Hiroshima city government has sent a message from the mayor each of those years.
The Coventry Club has accepted visitors from Coventry and has held a gathering to introduce the city. The certificate was delivered by mail last month. At Hiroshima City Hall, Mr. Matsui accepted the certificate from Hideko Okamoto, 66, who heads the group and is a resident of Asaminami Ward. He emphasized the role of citizens for building peace and said, “I hope the club will widen the scope of its activity.”
Ms. Okamoto said, “I want to continue what I can do to widen the spirit of peace and reconciliation.”
(Originally published on September 24, 2020)
On September 23, the Hiroshima Coventry Club, a citizens’ group in Hiroshima that has interacted with the British city of Coventry, delivered to Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, a “Friendship Certificate” that connects both cities. The certificate, sent from Coventry, confirmed the goodwill of the two cities in their commitment to building peace, and was drawn up in a memorial gathering held on August 6 in Coventry for atomic bomb victims, and marking the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing.
During World War II, many people in Coventry were killed by a series of bombing raids by Germany, and after the war the city proceeded with community development, focusing on peace and reconciliation. The city has held a memorial gathering for A-bomb victims August 6 every year since 1987, and the Hiroshima city government has sent a message from the mayor each of those years.
The Coventry Club has accepted visitors from Coventry and has held a gathering to introduce the city. The certificate was delivered by mail last month. At Hiroshima City Hall, Mr. Matsui accepted the certificate from Hideko Okamoto, 66, who heads the group and is a resident of Asaminami Ward. He emphasized the role of citizens for building peace and said, “I hope the club will widen the scope of its activity.”
Ms. Okamoto said, “I want to continue what I can do to widen the spirit of peace and reconciliation.”
(Originally published on September 24, 2020)
