Hiroshima/Nagasaki Events Calendar with Hibakusha Testimonies in the National Capital Area

Beyond Nuclear is privileged, honored, and humbled to support the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Peace Committee of the National Capital Area's 2015 commemorative events surrounding the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan.

What follows is a message from Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Committee of the National Capital Area cooridator John Steinbach, and a schedule of the planned events.

"Dear Friends,

For the past 34 years, the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Peace Committee of the National Capital Area has been organizing for the abolition of nuclear weapons and power, and in support of nuclear victims. We believe that if the world is to avoid repeating the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, we must strive to keep alive the memory of the bombings. This August we again plan a full schedule of events.

We welcome two Hibakusha from Hiroshima, Mr, Goro Matduyama (86) , and Ms. Yakako Chiba (73). In addition, we welcome the Heartful Chorus led by pianist, Ms. Yukie Ikebe. The pianist and the chorus group will perform at each commemoration event.

The entire public schedule is listed below. Please make every effort to attend one of the Commemoration activities, and please forward this letter as widely as possible.

For a Nuclear-Free World,

John Steinbach

Mr. Goro Matsuyama (86)
He was a 4th grader of Hiroshima 2nd Middle School (16 years old) at the time, and working as a mobilized student worker at a military factory at the edge of the city (two and half miles from the epicenter). He walked through the devastated city to his dormitory and then to his home, exposing himself to the radiation. After retiring from teaching in Hiroshima Prefecture, he has become very active in Hibakusha peace movements. He compiled and published a collection of Hibakusha testimonies, and is presently president of the Hiroshima/Nagasaki Hibakusha Association of Neyagawa City in Osaka Prefecture.

Ms. Takako Chiba (73)
She was 3 years old at the time and survived the bombing at one and half miles from the Hiroshima bomb epicenter.  She grew up watching her mother working for support activities of  Hibakusha. After retiring from teaching, she started earnestly working for anti-nuclear movements.  She came to NY City for the 2010 NPT Review Conference and gave her testimony. She is president of Ashiya City Hibakusha Association.  She is also active in the anti-nuclear power movement.

Ms. Yukie Ikebe
She is the leader/instructor of the sixteen person Heartful Chorus choral group, in Takarazuka, Hyogo Prefecture.  She is an accomplished pianist, and has performed in France and East Asian countries.  She is a peace activist and has held peace concerts throughout Japan.

2015 Hiroshima/Nagasaki Events Calendar with Hibakusha Testimonies

Hiroshima Peace Commemoration
Wednesday, August 5, 7:00 pm
American University Katzen Arts Center, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW. Wash. DC
The Arts Center is featuring the world famous Maruki Panels depicting the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. There will be a moment’s silence at 7:15pm to commemorate the Hiroshima catastrophe.

Baltimore Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemoration with Hibakusha Testimonies
Thursday, August 6, 6:30pm
Bufano Sculpture Garden, 3400 N Charles St.  Baltimore, on Johns Hopkins Homewood campus    The program will be preceded by a vigil from 5:30pm at 33rd St. & North Charles St.  Baltimore.
Sponsored by Baltimore Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration Committee.

US-Japan Friendship Concert for Peace
Friday August 7, 7:00 pm
Sam Abbott Citizens' Center Auditorium, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, MD
Featuring Ms. Yukie Ikebe with the Heartful Chorus, and the DC Labor Chorus
Sponsored by the Nuclear-Free Takoma Park Committee and the DC Labor Chorus

Nagasaki Candlelight Vigil
Saturday, August 8, 9:45 pm
White House (Lafayette Park)
Moment’s Silence at 10:02, sharing of thoughts for peace

Frederick Hiroshima/Nagasaki Commemoration with Hibakusha Testimonies
Sunday, August 9, 4:00 pm
Evangelical Reformed United Church of Christ, 15 West Church St. Frederick, MD
Sponsored by Frederick Women in Black"