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Recital of atomic bombing testimonies
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The atomic bombing testimonies recorded by the hibakusha and their families contain facts and emotions that only someone who had directly experienced the atomic bombing could know, and reading them is a moving experience.
At the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims, Recitations Sessions of Remembrances of the A-Bombing are held.
The aim of these sessions is to share the hibakushas' memories and thoughts with a wide range of people and pass them on to the next generation by reading aloud atomic bombing testimonies and A-bomb poetry.
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At the recitals, after viewing a video that provides an outline of the damage from the bombing, volunteer readers read aloud an atomic bombing testimonial or poetry, and finally participants recite some atomic bombing poetry themselves.
By listening to the recital while picturing the scenes in one's mind, and by reading out such poetry oneself, the situation at the time of the bombing is communicated to the participants with a sense of reality.
The program for the recitals is usually around one hour, but this may be changed depending on the timing and the content of the recitals.
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An atomic bombing testimonial recital
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These recitals are held not only for elementary, junior and senior high school students who visit Peace Memorial Park as part of their school trip or peace studies, but also can be held at schools or community centers in Hiroshima City or the surrounding areas.
Recitals are also held in English, for visitors from overseas.
Anyone may freely participate in the regular recitals.
Recitals in Japanese are held once each in the morning and afternoon on the third Sunday of every month, and the recitals in English are held once each on the afternoons of the second Sunday and fourth Friday of every month.
All regular recitals are held in the seminar room on floor B1 of the Peace Memorial Hall.
The recitals were started in the spring of 2005, and this year, 2018, marks the 13th year that they have been held.
Many of the participants provide comments on the experience, such as
"I want to tell my family about the atomic bombing and peace,"
"It was moving because I could picture the scenes as I listened. It made me cry."
Volunteer readers are dispatched free of charge to give readings.
We also lend out free of charge a recital pack that can be used to hold recitals yourself.
Please feel free to contact the Peace Memorial Hall for details.
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| (Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims) |
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