NOTES FROM THE PRODUCER:
Dear sir/ma'am,
Good evening and welcome to the second annual "Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Memorial of Boston" on this very summery Sunday, August 5, 2018.
Two years ago, I attended and volunteered for the Annual Interfaith Peace Gathering in NYC, organized by Rev. TK Nakagaki, a Japanese Buddhist priest who started it 25 years ago. The most appealing message to me was a "hope" to see peace events in more cities of the world. So, instead of going to the NYC peace gathering again, I produced our own peace event, resulting in the last year's inaugural "Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Memorial" at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookline.
This year, the theme is healing of the earth and rebuilding a hopeful future for our children. Having gone through a major medical challenge earlier this year, I have experienced first-hand that love is the best medicine. Wars have destroyed not only our lives, but our mother earth. Earth is our home. So, I want us all to believe in our power to be the healers of the earth, and to be able to see children smile when they think of their future.
We also already have next year's venue set, and are ready to start the planning as soon as this event ends.
Moving forward, my plan is to go on to a new city abroad with my friend from Hiroshima, and organize a peace event there. I am envisioning that all the attendees in these cities tuning into the NYC's 'Peace Bell Ring' simultaneously.
One day, this event will no longer be a hope for peace, but will be a celebration of peace. But for now, we pray and hope for peace. Peace is an action.
In order to do exactly that, we will keep telling the story of the past. (1)Hiroshima: Pre-war population of Hiroshima was 350,000, of which 80,000 died instantly or within hours after the a-bomb was dropped. 140,000 to 150,000 died within the next five years as a result. (2)Nagasaki: 39,000 - 80,000 death in 2-4 months. (3)The bomb dropped on Hiroshima had the strength of 20,000 tons of TNT. The nuclear warheads in the U.S., as of 2014, have the strength of 455,000 of TNT. (4)Current Statistics:9 countries possess a total of 14,185 nuclear weapons, of which 6,450 are in the U.S. and 6,600 in Russia. That's 92 % of them.
On a brighter side, this year, there are at least 74 peace commemorations in 22 states, and 22 within Massachusetts. (There were 17 events last year in MA. So we are doing a little better.)
This event is a collaboration of making one big art. How can one be part of this? (1)Attend this annual event, Volunteer, Sponsor, contribute/donate. "Crowdfunding" runs till midnight (exactly till 11:55pm tonight). (2)Tonight - Donation Box - on your way out if you resonate with what you experience tonight.
Sincerely,
Mariko
