|
Hiroshima training of United Nations tour guides
－Communicating the spirit of Hiroshima to the world－
|
|
The City of Hiroshima holds permanent exhibitions jointly with the Nagasaki City at United Nations facilities in New York, Geneva and Vienna.
The exhibitions are made up of atomic bomb artifacts and photo panels, and many visitors from around the world, including national leaders, view the exhibitions every day.
|
In order to effectively communicate the reality of the damage from the bombing through the exhibitions, it is essential that guides and employees leading guided tours share information on the truth of the bombing.
Therefore, from 2017 the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum started the training program for United Nations tour guides, where tour guides from the three UN facilities are invited to Hiroshima, so that they can gain an understanding of the reality of the atomic bombing.
This time the training was held for 5 days from December 1-5, 2018, with six guides participating.
It was the second time it has been held.
For the training this time, the program used for the first training in 2017 was significantly revised, with a stronger focus placed on experiences that the participants could only have in Hiroshima, and the acquisition of knowledge and skills through exchange activities with atomic bomb witnesses and Hiroshima Peace Volunteers.
The content of the program included lectures as well as a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, a tour of the Cenotaph and the remains of bombed structures, listening to an atomic bomb testimony, exchange sessions with volunteers and a tour of the city.
Participants said that there was a lot of practical content, and they could learn things that were directly related to their own work as tour guides.
Many participants also said that the part of the program that left the greatest impression on them was the atomic bombing testimony.
The participants seemed to have a sense of tension and urgency as they listened, knowing that there will be fewer opportunities in the future to listen directly to the hibakusha speak and that one day those opportunities will disappear.
After the talk, they actively asked questions.
|
Explanation of Cenotaph by volunteer
Tour of Peace Museum at Fukuromachi Elementary
School
Listening to atomic bombing testimony
|
|
Based on this project, we will continue to work towards improving the displays at the UN facilities on the damage from the atomic bombing, enhancing the tour commentary at each facility on the damage from the bombing and the abolition of nuclear weapons, and strengthening the message of the spirit of Hiroshima throughout the global community.
We would also like to enhance and expand our cooperative relationship with the United Nations and think about implementing joint projects for events at United Nations facilities.
|
|
| (Peace Memorial Museum Outreach Division) |
|
|
|
