Commemorations around the globe were held August 6 and 9, marking the 63rd anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively.

"... the only role for nuclear weapons is to be abolished."

- Hiroshima Mayor Tadatoshi Akiba, August 6, 2008.

See the following for events in Hiroshima Japan, Yorkshire UK, Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart and Perth Australia, Buechel Germany, Vienna Austria, Ottawa and Winnipeg Canada.

Hiroshima

Wed August 6

Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda joined 45,000 people gathered at the Hiroshima memorial to mark the 63rd anniversary of the atomic bombing.

Events included a memorial service with silent prayers at 8.15am - the moment of the blast - and a peace memorial ceremony by Hiroshima City. An evening memorial service was later held for doctors, nurses and other health professionals by Hiroshima City Medical Association, as well as the traditional peace concert and lantern floating.

For more, see the Hiroshima Peace Media Centre and the
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

Sydney

Sat August 2

Several hundred people attended a rally at Town Hall Square, organised by the Hiroshima Day Committee.

Speakers included ICAN's Jessica Morrison (pictured), John Kaye (Greens MLC), John Hallam (People for Nuclear Disarmament Nuclear Flashpoints Project).

Melbourne

Wed August 6 - HIROSHIMA DAY

A morning vigil including a minute's silence held on the steps of St Paul’s Cathedral was well attended, attracting the views of many hundreds of peak hour commuters from the iconic Flinders Street station. Organised by the Victorian Branch of the Medical Association for the Prevention of War (MAPW), supported by ICAN, Pax Christi, and the Nuclear Free and Independent Pacific Campaign.

See photos here.

Listen to ICAN Australian Chair, Associate Professor Tilman Ruff on ABC Radio National here.

Sat August 9 - NAGASAKI DAY

A rally was held at the State Library, Organised by Nuclear Free Australia, with a march to the peace concert organised by Japanese for Peace at Melbourne Town Hall.

Hobart

The Lord Mayor of Hobart is one of 2,300 members of the international Mayors for Peace, established in 1982 by the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Wed Aug 6

Outside the Hobart Town Hall, corner Elisabeth St and Macquarie St.

12:30 - 1:15 "Target X" street theatre showing the medical
consequences of a nuclear explosion on a city. Provided by the Medical Association for the Prevention of War and medical students.

1:15 Commemorative address by Hobart's Mayor for Peace, Rob Valentine.

1:20 Silent vigil in remembrance of those who died in the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Organised by the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

Sat Aug 9

Hobart Town Hall Conference Room.

3:00 - 5:00 pm Public Forum, "Abolish Nuclear Weapons - is it possible?" Chair: Ald Eva Ruzicka, Deputy Lord Mayor.
Speakers: Lisa Singh MHA United Nations Association of Australia, Dr Gerry McGushin Medical Association for the Prevention of War, Hon. Duncan Kerr MP ALP, Ald Elise Archer Liberal Party, Senator Christine Milne Greens, Susan Austin Socialist Alliance, Dr Margot Roe Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Ald Rob Valentine Mayors for Peace. Open discussion.

Events involve the Hobart City Council, the Medical Association for the Prevention of War, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, and the United Nations Association of Australia. Co-ordinated by the Hobart Peace Coalition.

Perth

Wed August 6

Vigil 12 noon - 2 pm, Wesley Corner, Hay/William Streets.

Say NO to nuclear war.
Say YES to to every child's right to grow into a world free of nuclear weapons.

Organised by People for Nuclear Disarmament WA, and
supported by the Anglican Social Responsibility Commission, Anti-Nuclear Alliance of WA, Catholic Social Justice Commission, Christian Centre for Social Action, Council of Churches WA, Medical Association for Prevention of War, Quakers (Society of Friends), and Uniting Church Australia.

Buechel

Sat August 30

IPPNW Germany is putting its main effort this year on Hiroshima Day into mobilising for a large demonstration at Buechel nuclear weapons base. Information in German at www.atomwaffenfrei.de

Yorkshire

Leeds:
Sat August 9

Hiroshima and Nagasaki A-bomb commemorative event at the Mayors for Peace memorial stone, Park Square, Leeds City Centre (2 minutes walk from Leeds Town Hall) 10.45am - 11.30am. Hosted by the Council's Peacelink group, held in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Leeds.

The event sought to remember all innocent victims of warfare, particularly civilian populations, and to read out the Hiroshima and Nagasaki declarations. There were also other readings and poetry including a talk from a member of the British Nuclear Test Veterans Association on their ongoing campaign for compensation from the government. At 11am 2 minutes silence was held and the Lord Mayor lay a wreath for the victims of all wars since 1945.

Keighley:
Sat August 9

Vigil for peace Church Green, 1.30 - 2pm

Posters, banners and short readings/prayers to remember and commit ourselves to the campaign to rid the world of nuclear weapons. Hosted by the Keighley Peace Justice and Environment Network. Contact: robinandsylvia@aol.com

Sheffield:
Wed August 6, 10.00am - 12.00pm, Town Hall, Sheffield.

Sat August 9, 2.00pm, Japanese Garden, Meersbrook Park, Sheffield.

Vienna

Wed August 6

The Viennese Peace Movement together with the Hiroshima Group Vienna again held the annual manifestation at St. Stephan's Square, Vienna, in commemoration of the victims of the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Our common endeavour for a world free of nuclear weapons and without war is needed more than ever before.

Messages of support for Hiroshima Day have been collected and can be read at www.hiroshima.at. They will be presented in public in the framework of the manifestation in Vienna.

Ottawa

NEVER AGAIN: Hiroshima, Nagasaki, 1945

Sat August 9

Members of the Ottawa Peace Assembly lit peace lanterns in remembrance of the victims of these bombs, and called for an end to nuclear weapons, communicating a message of hope and peace with allies worldwide.

A film was screened at Friends House with discussion on the threat posed by nuclear weapons (special guest Bob Lovelace from the Ardoch Algonquin Nation will also comment on the link between uranium mining, First Nations land rights, and the nuclear weapons industry).

This was followed by a march to float and light the lanterns at Brown's Inlet, on Holmwood Ave.

The Ottawa Peace Assembly is a coalition of community groups opposed to Canada's participation in the so-called "War on Terror", bringing together organizations working to create a culture of peace.

Winnipeg

Wed August 6

Peace Alliance Winnipeg held the annual Lanterns for Peace ceremony to commemorate the horrific atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

LANTERNS FOR PEACE
7:30 pm Memorial Park

Lantern Making., and an origami artist also on hand to teach the construction of paper cranes.

Program:

• Project Peacemakers--Welcome, meaning of lanterns on water in Japanese culture, story of Sadako and paper cranes
• Peace Alliance Winnipeg--Nuclear weapons in today's world.
• Judge Arthur Miki, Canada Immigration and Citizenship--Remarks
• Rob Altemyer, Member, Manitoba Legislative Assembly--Remarks
• Reading of letter from Mayor of Hiroshima
• Launch of lanterns on Memorial Park pond

Click here for the poster. Brandon, mentioned on the poster, is a small city 2 hours drive from Winnipeg that held its first lantern ceremony this year.