Peaceful tribute on anniversary of destruction

Published on 06 August 2020

Students with a dream of peace have shared their collective vision at a special event to commemorate 75 years since the bombing of Hiroshima.

Hiroshima Day remembers the events of August 1945, when atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and aims to promote peace across the globe.

Events in Hobart today acknowledge the importance of the day, starting with Imagine Peace at The Loop outdoor screen.

At the event, students from Hobart schools read Haiku poems written for the occasion, followed by a performance of The Peace Song by the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

“Forty-nine students across 10 schools, ranging from primary to college age, have reflected on this grievous anniversary to create Haikus based on their visions for world peace,” Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said.

“A selection of these poems have been read by their authors at today’s commemoration event.”

Later in the day, a vigil facilitated by the Medical Association for the Prevention of War was held at Franklin Square and will feature a performance by an expanded TSO chorus of 35 singers.

The commemoration has also extended into Mathers Lane, where the three Soapbox billboards displaying New Lines of Sight – a joint art project by local artist Sara Wright, in conjunction with students from Mt Carmel College, and with students from Hobart’s Sister City of Yaizu in Japan.

“The artworks present a powerful message of hope and reflection,” Cr Reynolds said. “It’s described as a collective dreaming for the future that encourages us to see each other with new eyes: to imagine a global society of friendship, reciprocity and peace.”

The City of Hobart has joined 27 other Australian Cities, including Canberra, Sydney and Melbourne in signing the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) Cities appeal asking the federal government to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

“Almost 15,000 nuclear weapons remain in our world,” Cr Reynolds said. Cities everywhere are making a stand against the harbouring of these weapons and are proud to stand with them.

“Nuclear weapons pose an unacceptable threat to people everywhere. No one is immune to the threat and we must continue to lobby for this threat to be removed.”