Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Peace Movement Aotearoa

2 August 2012

Below are the details of commemorative events and public meetings to mark the 67th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (6 August 1945) and Nagasaki (9 August 1945). These listings are available online at http://www.facebook.com/PeaceMovementAotearoa/notes

NATIONAL

* Sunday, 5 August, Peace Sunday - this year’s Peace Sunday Worship Resources from Christian World Service are focused on peace in the Pacific and the twenty-fifth anniversary of the nuclear free legislation, find out more at http://www.cws.org.nz/files/PeaceSunday2012final_0.pdf

* Ongoing until Saturday, 11 August - Hibakusha national speaking tour: Ms Shigeko Sasamori and Mr Michimasa (Michi) Hirata, hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) from Hiroshima, will be speaking in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin - details of public meetings, events and contacts are included in the local listings below.

* Ongoing - From nuclear weapons-free Aotearoa New Zealand to a nuclear weapons-free world: Time for action on a global ban on nuclear weapons, find out more at http://www.icanw.org.nz

AUCKLAND

* Sunday, 5 August - Peace talk by Ms Shigeko Sasamori and Mr Michi Hirata from Hiroshima (in Japanese): starts 2pm at the Auckland Japanese Church, 3 Ngaire Avenue, Epsom. Organised by the Waiheke Combined Churches / hibakusha tour Committee, for more information please contact email smart33@xtra.co.nz or greengallery@xtra.co.nz

* Sunday, 5 August - Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemoration, and opening of the Hiroshima / Nagasaki A Bomb Photo Poster Exhibition: the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Tamaki Makaurau Branch invite you to the commemoration for Hiroshima and Nagasaki which is being held in conjunction with the launch of the Peace Map and Cultural Mapping Exhibition, and the opening of the Hiroshima / Nagasaki A Bomb Photo Poster Exhibition, with speakers representing the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Shigeko Sasamori and Michimasa Hirata. The programme includes crane-making, a candle floating ceremony, stories, speakers and music. Starts 4.30pm at The Depot’s Kerr Street building, Mt Victoria, Devonport. Organised by WILPF Tamaki Makaurau and The Depot Artspace, for more information please contact email ruth.calliope@gmail.com or erin.forsyth@depotartspace.co.nz
You can RSVP for this event at http://www.facebook.com/events/182079021924038

* Monday, 6 August, Hiroshima Day - Peace talk by Ms Shigeko Sasamori and Mr Michi Hirata from Hiroshima, starts 6pm at the St Colomba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby. Organised by the Waiheke Combined Churches / hibakusha tour Committee, for more information please contact email smart33@xtra.co.nz or greengallery@xtra.co.nz

WELLINGTON

* Sunday, 5 August - 67th commemoration of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, with invited guests and speakers and the general public. From 2pm to 4pm at the Peace Flame, on the city side of the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, Botanic Garden; the wet weather venue is the nearby Begonia House. Organised by The City is Ours, more information is available at http://www.hdwn.webs.com

* Tuesday, 7 August - The message from Hiroshima: with hibakusha Ms Shigeko Sasamori and Mr Michi Hirata: you are invited to a public meeting with Ms Shigeko Sasamori and Mr Michi Hirata, hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) from Hiroshima. On the 67th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Shigeko Sasamori and Michi Hirata are on a national speaking tour sharing their experiences - join us to hear their story and to learn about the Hiroshima / Nagasaki Peace Project. From 6pm to 7.30pm, light refreshments at 5.50pm, in the first floor conference room, St Andrews on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace (entry via the pathway on the north side of the church). Organised by iCAN (international Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons) Aotearoa New Zealand, Peace Movement Aotearoa and St Andrews on The Terrace, for more information please contact email icanz@xtra.co.nz The A4 poster for this event is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/hiroshima,7Aug12.pdf and you can RSVP for this event at http://www.facebook.com/events/138971072909908

CHRISTCHURCH

* Sunday, 5 August - Commemoration for Hiroshima and Nagasaki: we gather to remember those who died and the hibakusha (those who survived) the atomic bombings in August 1945, and to renew commitment to work for a peaceful world for all so that this will never happen again. Although we will not be floating lanterns on the river as in earlier years, we will be lighting them around the Peace Bell, remembering the lanterns floated on rivers at this time each year in Japan. The Japanese Women's Choir will sing, and Natasha Barnes from the Disarmament and Security Centre will speak. Starts 6pm at the Peace Bell in the Botanical Gardens (the Peace Bell is across the river from the band rotunda, between the woodland bridge and the rose garden). Organised by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom Otautahi Branch and the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), for more information please contact email tay@clear.net.nz

* Thursday, 9 August, Nagasaki Day - Ceremony at the Peace Bell with Ms Shigeko Sasamori and Mr Michi Hirata from Hiroshima: starts 2pm at the Peace Bell in the Botanical Gardens (the Peace Bell is across the river from the band rotunda, between the woodland bridge and the rose garden). Organised by local peace people, for more information please contact email cathy.harrison@clear.net.nz

OAMARU

* Monday, 6 August, Hiroshima Day - Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemoration: starts 12.30pm at the Hiroshima Memorial in the Oamaru public gardens, Chelmers Street end. Organised by local peace people, for more information please contact email perkins.hugh@gmail.com

DUNEDIN

* Friday, 10 August - Hiroshima A-Bomb Survivors Speak: Never Again! A public lecture with Ms Shigeko Sasamori and Mr Michi Hirata, survivors of the Hiroshima atomic bomb, who will share their memories of the war and the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare. From 4pm to 6pm, in Room 2.03, Commerce Building, corner of Union Street East and Clyde Street (the room is on street level if you enter by the side door straight off Union Street, approx 10 metres from the corner), University of Otago. Organised by the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, for more information please contact email peaceandconflict@otago.ac.nz The A4 poster for this event is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/hiroshima10-11Aug12.pdf

* Saturday, 11 August, Nagasaki Day - Peace vigil ‘Never Again’, with Ms Shigeko Sasamori and Mr Michi Hirata from Hiroshima: a ceremony to commemorate the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki 67 years ago. From 12 noon to 1pm, at the Peace Pole, in front of Otago Museum. Organised by the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies with others, for more information please contact email peaceandconflict@otago.ac.nz The A4 poster for this event is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/hiroshima10-11Aug12.pdf

ENDS

© Scoop Media