Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki, 76 years on

Commemorative events in Aotearoa New Zealand 2021

Link to share: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/PeaceMovementAotearoa/posts/4184174004963270 Tweet, https://twitter.com/PeaceMovementA/status/1422382248846794752

This year is the 76th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (6 August) and Nagasaki (9 August), which will be marked by commemorative events here and overseas. This post has details of the ICAN Aotearoa New Zealand online forum on Hiroshima Day, events in Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin, and some suggestions of things you can do wherever you are – including watching the Hiroshima and Nagasaki peace ceremonies live, joining the 2021 World Conference against A and H Bombs or the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship vigil online, CWS Peace Sunday resources, and more.

If you are organising a Hiroshima / Nagasaki commemorative event and would like it advertised in the online listings, please email the details to icanz – thank you.

* Hiroshima Day online forum*

~ Friday, 6 August – Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki: an online forum on Hiroshima Day to remember the atomic bombings, with the Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, Phil Twyford, discussing progress towards eliminating nuclear weapons and New Zealand’s recently launched Disarmament Strategy. From 1.30pm to 2.30pm on Zoom – if you would like to attend, please register at icanz Links to share for this event: Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/events/368225698193456 Tweet, https://twitter.com/PeaceMovementA/status/1420956309050908675

* Auckland *

~ Sunday, 8 August – Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Never Again! You are warmly invited to attend this 76th commemoration to remember all those who died at Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a result of the atomic bombs dropped on their cities in August 1945. The commemoration includes music, readings, candle lighting and a photo exhibition, from 5.30pm to 7pm, Betty Wark Room, ground floor, Ellen Melville Centre, 2 Freyberg Place, central Auckland. Organised by WILPF Tamaki Makaurau, please RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/800662457188286

* Wellington *

~ Wednesday, 11 August – Opening of the “Tūmanako! Children’s Art Works for a Peaceful World” exhibition: “the exhibition is an opportunity for tamariki/children and taiohi/young people to create works of art to share their aspirations for a peaceful, inclusive and nuclear free world in remembrance of Hiroshima Day”. From 5.30 to 6.30pm, followed by refreshments, at the Johnsonville Community Hub – the artworks will then be exhibited at the Johnsonville Library at Waitohi Hub from 11 to 22 August. Organised by Soka Gakkai International of NZ, if you are planning on attending the opening, please RSVP to email tumanako.artworks

* Nelson *

~ Saturday, 7 August – Peace Vigil for Hiroshima and Nagasaki Days, join us to commemorate the terrible loss of life and destruction caused by atomic bombs dropped over these 2 Japanese cities on August 6 and August 9, 1945. Never again! Build a future without nuclear weapons. From 12 noon to 1pm on the church steps in Trafalgar Street, all welcome. Organised by Nelson Quakers, please RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/622167142504727

* Christchurch *

~ Sunday, 8 August – Never Again: Hiroshima and Nagasaki 76th Anniversary. Join us to remember the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 76 years ago. There will be music, speakers and candles, join us in remembrance and to say “Never again!” Starts at 11am at the World Peace Bell in the Botanic Gardens, organised by WILPF Otautahi and DSC, RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/606766543541117

* Dunedin *

~ Thursday, 5 August – ‘In My Lifetime’ free film screening: The NCPACS (National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies) Student Association is hosting a free film screening of ‘In My Lifetime’, in honour of Hiroshima Day. “In My Lifetime – filmed in Europe, Japan and the US – provides a comprehensive look at the full scope and impact of the nuclear age from its beginnings to the present day, including the international efforts by citizens, scientists and political leaders to reduce or eliminate the nuclear threat.” From 6pm to 9.30pm, Burns Theatre, Room 7, 95 Albany Street, North Dunedin; please RSVP at ncpacs.sa

~ Friday, 6 August – Hiroshima Day Peace Ceremony: join us in honouring the memory of those lives lost following the 1945 nuclear attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and our continued hopes and prayers for a future free from nuclear warfare; includes a performance from the O-Taiko drumming group. All welcome, starts at 10.15am at the Peace Pole, Otago Museum Reserve. Organised by Dunedin Quakers and the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, a poster is available at https://www.facebook.com/ncpacsotago/posts/4268000386610021

* Things you can do wherever you are *

~ Watch the 2021 Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony live – this year’s ceremony will be live streamed from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park on 6 August from 6.30am to 8.50am (NZST = 9.30am to 11.50am) at https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/english/175828.html – details of this year’s ceremony are available at https://www.city.hiroshima.lg.jp/site/english/225046.html

~ Join the Anglican Pacifist Fellowship (UK) online Hiroshima Day Peace Vigil: this year our reflection is from The Rt. Revd. Paul Bayes, Bishop of Liverpool, and we shall also be remembering the first atomic tests in the Pacific which started 75 years ago. On Saturday, 7 August at 7am (NZST), please email chair for the zoom link.

~ Watch the 2021 Nagasaki Peace Ceremony live: this year’s Nagasaki Peace Ceremony will be live streamed from the Nagasaki Peace Park on 9 August from 10.45am to 11.45am (NZST = 1.45pm to 2.45pm) at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDNGH88Z8fcQ-OH5VA6yIVg

~ Join the 2021 World Conference against A and H Bombs online, from 2 to 9 August: “With the Hibakusha, Let Us Achieve a Nuclear Weapon-free, Peaceful and Just World – for the Future of the Humankind and Our Planet”. Organised by Gensuikyo (Japan Council against A & H Bombs) – full programme and zoom links for each event are available at http://www.antiatom.org/english/world_conference/2021index.html

~ Join the international fast to remember the victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, from 6 to 9 August: information is available at icanz if you would like to be put in touch with fasters in Aotearoa New Zealand.

~ Use and / or share the Peace Sunday resource from Christian World Service (CWS): Peace Sunday this year is Sunday, 8 August (in the Methodist/Presbyterian calendar, Peace Sunday is the closest Sunday to 6 August, Hiroshima Day). Each year, CWS prepares worship resources to support prayers and action for peace: “No justice. No peace.” This year’s Peace Sunday resource will be available at https://cws.org.nz/resources/for-churches soon, scroll down to the ‘Conflict and Peace’ heading.

~ From nuclear weapons-free Aotearoa New Zealand to a nuclear weapons-free world – Join the call for action to abolish nuclear weapons with ICAN Aotearoa New Zealand, the NZ national campaign of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize laureate International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, at icanz if you would like to go on the mailing list for updates on progress towards universalising the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

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From nuclear weapons-free Aotearoa New Zealand to a nuclear
weapons-free world: Join the call for action to abolish nuclear weapons!

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