Toward a nuclear-free new century 55 years after the atomic bombing
8/7/00
Prayers to make the 21st century "free
of nuclear weapons" enveloped Hiroshima
along with incense smoke. On the 6th, the
55th "A-bomb Day," roughly 50,000
people (city's figure) attended the city-sponsored
Peace Memorial Ceremony in Peace Memorial
Park, Hiroshima City. During that final ceremony
of the century, Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba announced
to the world that Hiroshima will take a leading
role in demonstrating that science and technology,
despite their role in war--exemplified by
the atomic bombings-- and environmental destruction,
can be reconciled with human purposes.
At 8:00 am, the sun beat down mercilessly,
and the temperature was already 27.6. At the ceremony, hand-held fans fluttered
here and there among the mostly elderly attendees.
Accompanied by the Song of Prayer, Mayor
Akiba, representatives of bereaved families,
children, and survivors, Prime Minister Mori
and other officials offered wreathes of white
and yellow chrysanthemums to the Cenotaph
for the A-bomb Victims. At 8:15 am, the time
the bomb exploded, the Peace Bell rang, ushering
in a minute of silence. Then, Mayor Akiba
delivered the final Peace Declaration of
the century.
"Having called on the world to abolish
nuclear weapons, Hiroshima wishes to make
a new start as a model city demonstrating
the use of science and technology for human
purposes." The mayor pledged a renewed
resolve to break the "chain of hatred
and violence" that led to that "day
of hell" half a century ago. He continued
fervently, "If we had only one pencil
we would continue to write first of the sanctity
of human life and then of the need to abolish
nuclear weapons."
Prime Minister Mori's remarks touched on
the recent Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty
(NPT) Review Conference. Concerning the adoption
of a final document agreed upon by all parties,
including the nuclear weapon states, the
Prime Minister said, "We heartily welcome
this development, trusting that it will solidify
and reinforce the nuclear non-proliferation
structure and advance nuclear disarmament."
On this day, 5021 names were added to the
List of the A-bomb Deceased consecrated to
the Cenotaph for the A-bomb Victims, raising
the total number in the registry to 217,137.
As A-bomb Day fell on a Sunday this year,
many of the elderly filling Peace Memorial
Park were accompanied by grandchildren and
families. Since the previous evening, groups
of survivors praying for the repose of their
relatives' souls and the general public had
streamed almost continuously to the Cenotaph
for the A-bomb Victims.
[Caption] The last Peace Memorial Ceremony of the century
in Peace Memorial Park. Before the ceremony,
many elderly paid tribute to the dead with
flowers and incense and put their hands together
in prayer at the Cenotaph for the A-bomb
Victims. (August 6, 7:15 am)
 |
next | back |