Marking the 80th anniversary on August 9, Magdeburg holds a peace prayer and memorial service to commemorate the atomic bombings during World War II.
Memorial Service to Honour Victims of Atomic Bombings in Magdeburg
In Magdeburg, Germany, a poignant memorial service will be held on August 9 at 10:00 AM, marking the anniversary of the atomic bombings that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. The event will take place at the Stele of Friendship, located on the Lukashügel.
The Stele of Friendship is a symbol of peace and reconciliation between Germany and Japan, erected to commemorate the victims of the atomic bombings. The memorial represents a tree of life with 20 figures expressing the idea of friendship in various ways.
The memorial service will be attended by Tim Schneider, president of the Saxony-Anhalt Japan-Germany Society, who will welcome guests and lead them to the Stele of Friendship. Regina-Dolores Stieler-Hinz, Mayor of Magdeburg, Kunihiko Kawazu from the Japanese embassy, Friedrich Kramer from the Evangelical Church, and Dr. Gerhard Feige from the Diocese of Magdeburg will also speak at the event.
An ecumenical prayer for peace will be held during the service, followed by the lighting of a peace candle and the laying of flowers in remembrance of the victims. After the memorial service, an information event on the Wiese of the Cities Partnerships will take place at the Askanischer Platz until 1:00 PM.
Magdeburg has been a member of the peace network "Mayors for Peace" since 1985, connecting it to Hiroshima. In 1981, Magdeburg gifted a duplicate of the Stele of Friendship to Nagasaki, symbolizing the ongoing commitment to peace and reconciliation between the two cities.
The effects of the nuclear attacks continue to impact human health today. A stone capsule containing a remnant of the city of Nagasaki is located next to the Stele of Friendship in Magdeburg, serving as a constant reminder of the devastating consequences of nuclear warfare.
The memorial service at the Stele of Friendship in Magdeburg is open to all interested individuals, offering an opportunity for reflection and remembrance of the victims of the atomic bombings. The event underscores the importance of peace advocacy and the ongoing efforts to promote international friendship and understanding.
Other public figures may join Tim Schneider at the memorial service, discussing topics such as politics, general news, and the importance of acknowledging war-and-conflicts like the atomic bombings in their speeches. The memorial event, while primarily focusing on the victims of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, can serve as a platform for reminding the public of the devastating consequences of war and the need for continued peace efforts around the world.
