Hiroshima Peace Candles

Thursday, May 25, 2006

The site where the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima is now marked by a memorial park to peace. Just one building remains from the bombing with the story of the atomic bombing told by a museum in the park. The park swarms with tourists. We visited during the Hiroshima Flower Festival, which featured song and dance displays by school children of all ages.
Despite the energy and noise, the park is dedicated to peace. On paying a small sum, candles were available to the public to write messages of peace. People, young and old alike, write their messages.

Candles
Family drawing candleOld woman drawing candle

The candles are placed on tables, or stands or in pattern formations. The whole park fills with candles. Each evening, the candles are lit by volunteers.

Lighting candleLighting candle

Once the candles are lit, and darkness falls, the park is illuminated by candles, all burning orange and yellow with messages of peace.

Hiroshima peace candleHiroshima peace candleHiroshima peace candleHiroshima peace candle
Hiroshima peace candleHiroshima peace candleHiroshima peace candle
Hiroshima peace candleHiroshima peace candleHiroshima peace candleHiroshima peace candle
Hiroshima peace candleHiroshima peace candleHiroshima peace candleHiroshima peace candle
Candle patterns

And, then, each evening, around 10pm, as if to remind us of fragile nature of peace, the candles are extinguished.


Candles being extinguished

2 comments:

BostonPobble said...

Wow ~ I thought I left a comment here a long time ago. Oooops. That's what stressing over deadlines will do to my Pobble brain. ANYWAY ~ this must have been so moving to watch. The pictures themselves are magnificent.

Chig said...

Brilliant pictures. It must have been very thought-provoking to go there. Candles are a gift for photography, aren't they?