Coventry strengthened its ties with Japan by remembering the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima – service on Saturday 6^th August at 2pm in Old Coventry Cathedral and New Coventry Cathedral.

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On the 2016 anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Cllr Lindsley Harvard and the Rev Kathryn Fleming, Canon of Coventry Cathedral welcomed to the city Minister Hideki Uyama Embassy of Japan and Bruce Kent honorary vice-president Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament together with Mr Katsumi and Mrs Kyoko Takahashi from Hiroshima Japan. The service was led by the Canon Kathryn Fleming from Coventry Cathedral and Bruce Kent will speak during the service.

Mr Katsumi and Mrs Kyoko Takahashi Envoys for the Mayor of Hiroshima Japan joined with other dignitaries and members of the public at the Coventry Cathedral for a brief service to remember the impact of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima on the 6^th August 1945 and Nagasaki three days later.

The service began in Coventry’s Old Cathedral gathering beside the Statue of Reconciliation. Following a fanfare, Welcome by Canon Kathyrn and a dance interpretation of the Statue of Reconciliation everybody walked into the New Cathedral and gathered in the Nave looking towards the Chapel of Unity. Hiroshima Day in Coventry was a 60 minute service that Recalled, Remembered and Reflected on the dropping of the bomb on the people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki for people of all faiths and no faith to join with.

“As a city of peace and reconciliation, it is right that we continue to pause and remember the impact of the atomic bomb on the people of Japan,” commented the Very Reverend John Witcombe, Dean of Coventry. “This annual event, which is now in its 27^th year, brings together people of all faiths and none.  Some may say it was a long time ago and half way across the world but it is part of our role in Coventry to look back, reflect, pause and look forward by strengthening our relationships with those who were our enemies and are now our friends.”

The service was be led by the Canon Kathryn Fleming Coventry Cathedral and Bruce Kent spoke during the service.

This annual event, arranged by the Lord Mayor’s Peace Committee, began in 1989. ”The service begin with a message of greeting from the Mayor of Hiroshima, followed by a reply from our Lord Mayor, a huge honour as we continue to build upon the friendship between the two countries. This year is the 10^th Anniversary of the Coventry-Hiroshima Club in Hiroshima and a special booklet commemorating this fact will be presented to our Lord Mayor.”

The service included prose readings and reflective silence; and the congregation joined together to make Japanese origami cranes of peace. After the service there were soft drink refreshments and a chance to talk to those present.

It was organized by the Lord Mayor of Coventry Committee of Peace and Reconciliation.

Resources

HiroshimaPoster2016

Hiroshima Day 2016 Press Release

Background Notes

See the Hiroshima Day page in this website for more information about.