Contributions from people overseas who are sharing the message of Hiroshima

(21)Messages of peace from around the world by Kunihiko and Atsuko Kato

Mr. and Mrs. Kato

The city of Fuerth, Germany, where we have lived for 24 years, has held a Peace Ceremony every August 6th since the time Fuerth joined Mayors for Peace in 1985. Although it rained on the day of the last ceremony, the sun is usually shining, as it was on August 6, 1945. In fact, this year marked the millennium anniversary of the founding of Fuerth so this occasion was observed at the ceremony, too.

We have been involved in the Peace Ceremony since 1986 when the Peace Committee of Fuerth City asked Kunihiko to create a Hiroshima Memorial Monument, a prayer for peace in memory of Hiroshima. The base of this monument, made of German granite, is in the shape of a globe, with five continents, and on top is perched a folded crane made of bronze.

Peace messages from around the world are displayed in a ring.

Kunihiko Kato

A sculptor, born in Aichi prefecture, Japan

Atsuko Kato

A painter, born in Aichi prefecture, Japan.

Kunihiko and Atsuko were married in 1976 and studied together in Germany. They have lived and worked in Fuerth since 1983.

Many Germans believe that the atomic bombs dropped on Japan during World War II were originally intended to be used against Hitler and the Nazis. Hoping to abolish these weapons of mass destruction which wrought the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, many people turn out for Fuerth's Peace Ceremony, including those with experience of war and school teachers. After the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, mothers opposed to nuclear-related pursuits have appeared at the ceremony, too.

In cooperation with artists of various countries, we have arranged arts activities at the ceremony that are designed to promote peace. We devise a new plan each year and try to involve as many people as possible of all ages. Year by year, the number of participants has increased.

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This past year we collected 1000 messages from around the world for our activity, "1000 Peace Messages for the Fuerth Millennium Festival." Based on the idea of Sadako and her 1000 paper cranes, the activity sought to raise people's awareness of the importance of peace.

For the ceremony, we collected 1522 messages from 25 countries. The messages were laminated and displayed in a ring in front of the Hiroshima Memorial Monument in Fuerth City Park. These peace messages were set up counterclockwise, symbolizing our desire to turn back the hands of the doomsday clock.

This display of peace messages was maintained until August 9th in order for people to have sufficient time to view it, particularly if they weren't able to visit the park on the day of the ceremony.

After we took it down, we presented the messages to the city government so they could be shown in the municipal museum.