More than 100 people attended the Hiroshima Day service on Saturday 6th August 2022 in Coventry Cathedral.

Led by Lord Mayor Coun Kevin Maton the service began with an exchange of greetings between the cities of Coventry and Hiroshima. Akihiro Tsuji, and Kaoru Igarashi, from the Japanese Embassy attended the service along with Coventry Cathedral’s newly appointed Canon of Arts and Reconciliation Canon Mary Gregory.

Mr Tsuji and Mr Igarashi began with a personal visit to Coventry’s new Japanese Peace Garden at Coventry War Memorial Park. Coun Maton, Canon Gregory and Mr Tsuji each spoke about the spirit of Coventry, the call for a nuclear weapons free world for the future of our planet and the increased worries about the potential of nuclear weapons being used during the war in Ukraine.

Coventry Quaker Jo Hallett led the origami. Pictured here in Coventry Cathedral’s chapel of unity – the 1000 cranes behind her, a gift from Hiroshima, on permanent display. Coventry Quakers have underpinned Coventry Hiroshima Day annually since 1987.

The service concluded with a performance from the Japanese Taiko Drumming group, followed by an act of remembrance.

Photo by Neslihan Ozfaris