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Citizens raise rainbow banner to herald World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates

by Toshiko Bajo, Staff Writer

On November 11, one day before the opening of “The 2010 World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates,” Hiroshima citizens and other participants, about 50 people in total, raised a seven-colored rainbow banner in Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park adorned with messages for peace from roughly 5,000 people. These messages included such sentiments as “I hope peace will come” and “Smiles can change the world.” The many individual wishes colored the A-bombed city of Hiroshima, a center for aspirations of peace.

The banner was about 100 meters long and 2 meters wide. It was unfurled for about 30 minutes, starting at about 7:30 a.m., in front of the A-bomb Dome. The messages were reportedly written by people on the streets and other locations across Japan.

“United Earth,” a Kobe-based citizens’ group, organized the event and called for participation through its website and other means. The banner was raised at other locations as well, including Motomachi Elementary School in downtown Hiroshima.

Eita Segawa, 28, the leader of the project and a resident of the city of Kobe, expressed his hopes, saying, “I was moved by the messages collected from all over Japan. I hope that participants at the World Summit will learn that citizens are also making efforts for peace.”

(Originally published on November 12, 2010)

Well-known artist performs “live painting” for nuclear abolition


by Sakiko Masuda, Staff Writer

Seitaro Kuroda, 71, a well-known illustrator and a resident of Kitakyushu, performed “live painting” on the riverbank across from the A-bomb Dome on November 11, the day before the opening of “The 2010 World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.” Mr. Kuroda imbued his performance with the wish for nuclear abolition.

He painted to the accompaniment of trumpet player Toshinori Kondo, 61. On a canvas that measured 1.5 meters square, Mr. Kuroda layered a mushroom cloud and such words as “NO” and “LIFE.” He completed the work after adding the word “YES” on a board nailed near the center of the painting.

The “live painting” event was part of the summit welcome organized by citizen volunteers. Mr. Kuroda’s painting will be displayed at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum during the three-day summit, which closes on November 14. Tomoko Watanabe, 56, the organizer of the event and a Hiroshima resident, said, “We can all share a passion for loving the earth. And in our unity as citizens, we can appeal together for peace.”

(Originally published on November 12, 2010)

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