Contributions from people overseas who are sharing the message of Hiroshima

(19)A peace city founded on reconciliation by Hideko Okamoto

Coventry is a city with a population of 300,000, located about one hour northeast of London by express train. An attractive city, it boasts many old buildings that reveal the prosperity of the medieval era when they were constructed. Residential areas and roads branch outwards from the city center and the expansive scenery of the countryside surrounds the town.

Above: Citizens of Coventry at the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day Service
Below: Statue of "Reconciliation" in Coventry

Hideko Okamoto

Born in the town of Sera in Hiroshima prefecture. Accompanying her husband for his work, she lived in Coventry for one year in 2004. She now lives in Hiroshima and is a representative of the "Friendship Link with Coventry".

Before I came here, I wasn't even familiar with the name of the city so I was surprised to discover an unexpected connection between Coventry and Hiroshima.

On August 6th, a peace event called "Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day Service" is held in the chapel of a cathedral. In 2004, I attended this service. In addition to music, readings, prayers, and candles, each person folded a paper crane. I was deeply moved by the fact that people so far away from Japan thought about the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and prayed for peace in the world. It may be a small service, but the Mayor of Coventry takes part in it every year.

Next to the cathedral, the walls and bell tower of the old Coventry Cathedral that was bombed by Germany during World War II still stand. At the altar is a cross made of burned timbers. In the interior, too is a statue titled "Reconciliation"-the same statue found in the Hiroshima International Conference Center. Both statues were gifts of the English businessman, Richard Branson.

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Early in the 20th century, the automobile industry prospered in Coventry, but after war broke out, the factories began producing arms instead. As a result, the city became a target of German attack, with the most intense air raid conducted on November 14, 1940. In that 11-hour attack, scores of people were killed and the great cathedral was destroyed.

After the attack, though, Coventry began calling for peace through reconciliation rather than an act of retaliation. This spirit has carried over to the city administration of the post-war era, earning Coventry the reputation as a city of peace.

Coventry's outlook and the stance of the atomic bomb survivors share the same message: We desire that no one, neither ally nor enemy, ever experience this sort of tragedy again. During World War II, Coventry, a city in the UK, and Hiroshima, a city in Japan, fought as enemies, but we now hold a united wish for world peace. Hopefully, the connections between the people of our two cities can continue to grow in the future.