“War is the work of man.
War is destruction of human life.
War is death.
To remember the past is to commit oneself to the future.
To remember Hiroshima is to abhor nuclear war.
To remember Hiroshima is to commit oneself to Peace.”
Pope John Paul II

Last week, I recalled my visit to Japan’s charming Takayama. But there were two other places in Japan that left a profound mark on me – Kyoto and Hiroshima. Kyoto was the Japan I had always imagined – with its ancient temples, cobblestone alleyways and delicately manicured Japanese gardens – while Hiroshima was simply overwhelming. We stayed with a local family, who treated us like royalty, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit guilty as we explored the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. But then I realised that the people of Hiroshima have a simple wish and that is for visitors to reflect on the importance of abolishing nuclear weapons and realize lasting world peace.

A version of the article below was first published in Brisbane’s Sunday Mail.

A tale of romance and reality

“Let all the souls here rest in peace; for we shall not repeat the evil.”

Cherry blossom trees bloomed in the park where the Cenotaph is located. It is merely a week since Hanami festivals welcomed the arrival of the famed cherry blossom, but now grey skies and light drizzle marked the blossoms’ fall, gone until the following April.

Yet a flame burned, flickering, refusing to be extinguished. Here in Hiroshima’s Peace Park the Flame of Peace will burn until all nuclear weapons have gone.

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