Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers' Atomic Bomb Exhibition: Hiroshima Expressed Through Puppetry
by Miho Uematsu, Coordinator for International Cooperation, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) |
Sri Lanka is one of the destinations for the Japan Overseas Cooperation
Volunteers. Since its inception in 2008, the Atomic Bomb Exhibition has
been held annually in various parts of Sri Lanka, mainly the regions to
which the volunteers are dispatched. As the volunteers' term in any place
is two years, the volunteers running the exhibition change each time. Nonetheless
the aspirations for the exhibition are passed on and maintained. Ten volunteers
took the lead to hold the exhibition in 2011.
One of the special features of the Atomic Bomb Exhibition held in Sri
Lanka is the puppet show performed at the venue. In addition to the general
public, many children from the local elementary schools and kindergartens
come to the Atomic Bomb Exhibition to learn about peace. Unfortunately,
however, the explanations provided by the posters on display are often
too difficult for small children to understand.
The videos shown at the exhibition are also targeted toward the adult
audience, and the shocking content has sometimes reduced scared children
to tears. Since the children had made the effort to come to the exhibition,
the volunteers tried to think of a way for the smaller visitors to learn
about the atomic bomb and Hiroshima that was easier for them to understand
and not as frightening. |
The solution they came up with was a puppet show on the theme of Hiroshima,
sure to be popular with the Sri Lankan children who love films and cartoons.
The volunteers developed not only the scenario but also the puppets, the
set, lighting, and everything needed for the puppet show. They even performed
the show themselves in the local language. They prepared for the day of
the show with many rehearsals.
Hiroshima, August 6. The people of Hiroshima, peacefully going about
their daily lives, are suddenly hit by the atomic bomb. In that instant,
homes and schools disappear. At the sight of so many people grieving at
the loss of their family and friends, the children leaned forward, staring
intently at the puppets. The puppet show was also popular among the adults
accompanying the children, and is now a regular feature of the Atomic Bomb
Exhibition program in Sri Lanka.
Every year, the exhibition is held at five or six locations around Sri
Lanka, at venues including universities, city halls, and temples. The volunteers
will continue to hold the exhibition, to communicate the sin of war, the
tragedy of nuclear weapons, and the importance of peace.
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The volunteers performing the puppet show
Children staring at the puppet show |
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