Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki

A Three Talk Series presented by Oriental Museum, Durham

The nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki changed history, and it is hugely important to remember the impact they had and continue to have on the world.

The Japan Foundation, London are proud to partner with the Oriental Museum, Durham University for three upcoming talks in July, August and September 2023 related to their ongoing exhibition, Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki.*

To find out more about the talks, continue reading below!

*on now at Oriental Museum Durham, until Sunday 10 September 2023.

To visit the Oriental Museum Durham's website, click here.

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Talk One: The Long Aftermath: How Hiroshima and Nagasaki shaped and were shaped by postwar history

The two nuclear bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki unquestionably altered the course of the twentieth century. Yet their impact was not predetermined in August of 1945 but unfolded in historically-contingent ways over several decades. In this lecture, Dr Adam Bronson (History Department, Durham University) will explore how and why views of the atomic bombings of these two cities changed over time. Doing so highlights the many challenges faced by the survivors of the bombs, who came to be known as hibakusha, and whose testimony is now central to the portrayal and commemoration of the events. Hibakusha of different backgrounds interacted with doctors, scientists, politicians, peace activists, and writers whose postwar lives intersected with Hiroshima and Nagasaki to varying degrees. Understanding these interactions enables us to better grasp how Hiroshima and Nagasaki shaped and were shaped by postwar history.

Date: Wednesday 19th July 6.30pm BST (Hybrid online and in person)

Venue: Oriental Museum, Durham University

If you would like to attend the event either in person or online then please RSVP to oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk

This event is delivered in partnership with the Japan Foundation. 

 

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Talk Two: A-bomb Survivor Testimony

Born in 1931, Ms Kiyomi Kono was 14 years old at the time of the bombing and living on the outskirts of Hiroshima. The next day, she entered the city with her mother to look for her two elder sisters. In 2002, she painted pictures to depict scenes she witnessed and published a picture book. In 2003, she began sharing her experience in schools. Join us for an online event to hear directly from Ms Kiyomi’s as she recounts her experiences of the bombing and its aftermath.

Date: Tuesday 1st August, 9am BST

Venue: Online

If you would like to attend the online event then please RSVP to oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk

Due to the nature of the event some attendees may find the content distressing.

This event is delivered in partnership with the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Japan Foundation.

 

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Talk Three: In their own voices: Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall oral history reading

Since the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 there has been a concerted effort to record the experiences of those who survived. These heart-breaking and harrowing accounts have helped to drive the movement towards nuclear disarmament. In this talk the team from the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall will discuss the work they have done in recording and preserving the stories of the survivors. There will be a short film introducing the damage caused by the blasts followed by readings of survivor memoirs and poems.

Date: 10th September – 11am (In person only)

Venue: Oriental Museum, Durham

If you would like to attend the event then please RSVP to oriental.museum@durham.ac.uk

After the talk there will be a tour of the exhibition lead by Assistant Curator, Gillian Ramsay.

Due to the nature of the event some visitors may find the content distressing.

This event is delivered in partnership with the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Japan Foundation.