Photo: Ann Kramer

Hiroshima remembered

Local anti-war activists Hastings Against War were delighted when up to 100 people gathered in Alexandra Park to commemorate Hiroshima Day recently, writes John Enefer. Hiroshima Day on 6 August is marked around the world and recalls the atomic bomb attack on the city by the US B29 plane Enola Gay in 1945.

Official Japanese figures put the death toll resulting from the blast in excess of 100,000. Three days later, on 9 August, the city of Nagasaki was hit by a second atomic blast. Nearly 74,000 are estimated to have died from this explosion.

Victims of both blasts were remembered at a ceremony in Alexandra Park. The newly formed Choir for Peace and Justice and local Buddhists sang peace songs, while poems connected to the attacks were read out. Finally, at dusk, floating lanterns were lit and sent out across the boating lake, in traditional Japanese style.

Floating lanterns on the lake. Photo: Ann Kramer

The large gathering included local activists, foreign students, the mayor and deputy mayor, and members of the Darvell community in Robertsbridge, a religious community committed to peace.

Hastings Against War can be contacted by phone on 01424 433230 or 01424 437820, or by email at info@hastingsagainstwar.org.

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