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“Memory keepers” to help hand down A-bomb experiences to the future

by Michiko Tanaka, Staff Writer

“Memory keepers” of the A-bomb experience, who will help convey the memories of A-bomb survivors to the next generation, officially received this status in a ceremony on April 9. Fifty men and women, ranging in age from 30 to 76, completed the three-year training by the City of Hiroshima and have been designated to perform this role. Beginning on April 20, the memory keepers will convey the horrific conditions of the atomic bombing and the wish for nuclear abolition through presentations and other activities on a daily basis.

Forty-two memory keepers visited the International Conference Center Hiroshima and received a certificate from Yasuyoshi Komizo, the chairperson of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation. A-bomb survivors who shared their individual experiences of the atomic bombing during the training attended the ceremony, too, and celebrated the appearance of their new successors.

With the A-bomb survivors advancing in age, the City of Hiroshima has been pursuing this initiative to develop memory keepers of the A-bomb experience since 2012. To mark the debut of the first group of trainees, the city will hold talks by the new memory keepers at the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, in Naka Ward, every day from April 20. No reservations or fees are needed to attend these sessions. Upon request, memory keepers may also be asked to visit schools to share the A-bomb experience. For further information, please call the Outreach Division of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum at 082-541-5544.

(Originally published on April 10, 2015)

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