Nagasaki's restored A-bomb bell peals once more, 80 years after the nuclear attack
On August 9, 2021, the twin cathedral bells in Nagasaki, Japan, rang together in unison for the first time since the tragic atomic bombing of 1945. The solemn sound echoed through the city, serving as a poignant reminder of the horrors of nuclear warfare and a symbol of hope for peace.
Exactly 80 years ago, at 11:02 am, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Nagasaki, causing immense destruction and loss of life. The city's Immaculate Conception Cathedral, a symbol of faith and resilience, was severely damaged, with only one of its two bells surviving the bombing.
The restored bell, raised with the help of American Catholics who showed compassion and sadness upon learning about the perseverance of Nagasaki's Christians, chimed for the first time on the anniversary, marking a significant moment of remembrance. The second bell, newly constructed, joined its companion in the northern tower of the imposing red-brick cathedral, which was rebuilt in 1959 after the bombing.
The bells' ringing was a deeply emotional moment for many. The new bell's unveiling in the spring of 2021 elicited tears from those who attended, as they remembered the over 74,000 lives lost in the bombing.
The ceremony was attended by nearly 100 countries, including Russia and Israel, as they joined Nagasaki in commemorating the event and reaffirming their commitment to peace and nuclear disarmament. The bells rang during a moment of silence and ceremony, where Nagasaki mayor Shiro Suzuki urged the world to "stop armed conflicts immediately."
The story of Nagasaki's Christians, a testament to forgiveness and rebuilding, was immortalized in Shusaku Endo's novel "Silence" and Martin Scorsese's 2016 film adaptation. The city's resilience and enduring desire for harmony continue to inspire, as evidenced by the twin cathedral bells' poignant ringing.
For Akio Watanabe, a 61-year-old attendee, hearing the bells chime together was a long-awaited moment. "I've been waiting since I was a young man to hear this sound," he said, his voice filled with emotion. Nagasaki resident Atsuko Higuchi expressed her happiness that the city's victims would be remembered, stating, "It's a comfort to know that their memory lives on."
The twin cathedral bells' unison ringing serves as a powerful message to the world, urging for peace amidst multiple conflicts and a new arms race. The sound of the bells resonates with the hope that such devastation will never be repeated, and that the human spirit will continue to strive for peace and harmony.
Politics and general news often highlight the twin cathedral bells in Nagasaki, Japan, as a symbol of hope for peace amidst war-and-conflicts. The bells' unison ringing on August 9, 2021, marks a powerful message to the world, resonating with the hope that such devastation will never be repeated, and that the human spirit will continue to strive for peace and harmony.
