Citizens to float paper lanterns on A-bomb Day, first time in four years
Jul. 12, 2023
by Chieri Ishii, Staff Writer
For the first time in four years, citizens will float paper lanterns on the Motoyasu River in front of the A-bomb Dome on the evening of August 6, the day of the atomic bombing. Citizens’ participation in this annual event was suspended during the coronavirus pandemic.
This is an annual event to mourn the victims who died begging for water and to pray for peace. Participants will write messages on the lanterns and float them from the river bank, and paper lanterns entrusted by victims’ families will be floated from boats between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Lanterns will be sold from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Each lantern costs 800 yen, and the money will be used to cover the arrangement and security expenses. About 5,000 lanterns will be prepared.
The event is organized by the executive committee comprised of representatives of local retailers’ associations and shopping malls in the central part of the city, which is called Chushinren. In 2020 and 2021, only representatives were allowed to participate in the event. In 2022, people were allowed to participate but not to float their lanterns to avoid congestion, and the committee members floated the lanterns.
Chushinren said, “Floating the lanterns yourselves, you will have stronger desire for peace and greater wish to console the souls of the victims. We hope you will feel the atmosphere of this event with your five senses.” For further information, call the executive committee at 082-245-1448 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Chushinren’s website: https: /www.chushinren.jp/
(Originally published on July 12, 2023)
For the first time in four years, citizens will float paper lanterns on the Motoyasu River in front of the A-bomb Dome on the evening of August 6, the day of the atomic bombing. Citizens’ participation in this annual event was suspended during the coronavirus pandemic.
This is an annual event to mourn the victims who died begging for water and to pray for peace. Participants will write messages on the lanterns and float them from the river bank, and paper lanterns entrusted by victims’ families will be floated from boats between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Lanterns will be sold from 6:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Each lantern costs 800 yen, and the money will be used to cover the arrangement and security expenses. About 5,000 lanterns will be prepared.
The event is organized by the executive committee comprised of representatives of local retailers’ associations and shopping malls in the central part of the city, which is called Chushinren. In 2020 and 2021, only representatives were allowed to participate in the event. In 2022, people were allowed to participate but not to float their lanterns to avoid congestion, and the committee members floated the lanterns.
Chushinren said, “Floating the lanterns yourselves, you will have stronger desire for peace and greater wish to console the souls of the victims. We hope you will feel the atmosphere of this event with your five senses.” For further information, call the executive committee at 082-245-1448 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Chushinren’s website: https: /www.chushinren.jp/
(Originally published on July 12, 2023)
