Opening of “Hiroshima – Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition” and Testimony of an Atomic Bomb Victim

On November 9, the opening of the “Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition” was held at the Yper Museum in Ypres, in attendance of Ambassador Hayashi together with Mayor of Ypres Mr. Durnez and Director of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Mr. Shiga.
Mayor Durnez said in his speech that “Ypres, as the city where weapons of mass destruction were first used, has much in common with Hiroshima and Nagasaki. As peace cities, collaboration with Hiroshima and Nagasaki continues, while making efforts for nuclear disarmament”. Ambassador Hayashi stated that “at this milestone of the 100th anniversary since the end of the First World War, here in Ypres, where fierce battles took place and chemical weapons were used for the first time in world history, the organizing of an exhibition which looks back on the historical facts of the first atomic bombs in world history on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and evoking the tragedies of war, is deeply meaningful. No matter how tragic or harsh, we need to share these facts from the past, and pass them down to future generations”.
On the same day, there was an event organized by the Flemish Government, as part of the commemoration of the end of the First World War, titled “Memorial Chairs”. At the event, the lost lives, the sacrifices and the countries dragged into the war were symbolized by placing 100 chairs. Japan was symbolized by a tatami offered by the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.
Furthermore, from November 20 until November 22, testimonial events on the experiences of atomic bomb victim Ms. Sadae Kasaoka, who was 12 years old at the time and lost both parents by the bombing, were held in two places in Ypres, and at the universities of KU Leuven and ULB. Ms. Kasaoka talked about her tragic situation with frank and concise words, while the participants listened sincerely. The “Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition” is held until December 2 at the Yper Museum.

Pictures Offered By Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum