by Nicola, staff writer of japan-guide.com
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Visiting Hiroshima can be an overwhelming experience. Evidence of the atomic bomb's explosion 63 years ago is everywhere; in monuments, in memory, and embodied by the image of the Atomic Bomb Dome. While Hiroshima today is a big modern city with an attractive, vibrant downtown, in the eyes of many it remains first and foremost a monument to suffering, loss, and destruction.
At least, that's how it felt to me last August 6th when I arrived in Hiroshima on the 63rd anniversary of the bomb's detonation. I was interested to find the city's atmosphere at once both solemn and celebratory. The day's schedule was filled with varying events, all of which were free of charge, required no reservation and were staffed by vast teams of proficient volunteers.
The Peace Ceremony, held at 8am in the Peace Park was attended by about 50,000 people. It involved several speeches by officials and dignitaries (including Japan's Prime Minister, Fukuda Yasuo), the dedication of new names to the victims' register, a reading of the Peace Pledge by 6th grade students and a moment of silence followed by the release of doves.
Events continued throughout the day in both English and Japanese. Bomb survivors gave talks in both languages, volunteers offered tours of the Peace Park, and a host of large scale, open air events such as choral concerts, art displays and lectures, took place in the Peace Park and along the riverbanks.
What I found really remarkable about the whole day, was how open and accessible all of the events were. Great swarms of volunteers were on hand everywhere. They helped domestic and foreign tourists read maps, find their way to the events, and fold paper cranes. They handed out glasses of water, information in English and Japanese, pamphlets and guide maps. They thanked everyone who came into an event, and everyone who left, with a smile.
The volunteer presence kept the day from slipping into total solemnity, and was responsible for the certain celebratory nature of the day. It really seemed like the anniversary events were two-fold in purpose; to remember the devastation caused by the bomb, but also to celebrate Hiroshima's rebirth as a lively, animated city, committed to broadcasting a message for peace.
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