Nagasaki survivor shares experiences in Manchester

A survivor of the Nagasaki atomic bomb will talk to Manchester schoolchildren about his experiences. 

Yoshiro Yamawaki will talk to pupils from Whalley Range High School For Girls, North Manchester Media Academy and Newall Green High School during a special event held at the People's History Museum on Friday 5 November.
 
Mr Yamawaki, who was a young schoolboy when the bomb was dropped on his home city in 1945, killing up to 80,000 people, will talk about what life was like in the immediate aftermath of the event and about the health problems he has experienced since.

He is visiting the UK along with a delegation from Nagasaki, as part of a series of events to mark the 30th anniversary of Manchester's official opposition to nuclear weapons.

Manchester was declared a Nuclear Free City in 1980 and has developed links with Nagasaki and Hiroshima through this - as well as through the Mayors For Peace organisation.

Mayor of Nagasaki, Tomihisa Taue, along with Cllr Mark Hackett, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, will help launch the Manchester City Centre Peace and Social Justice Trail on Thursday 4 November, dedicated to the progressive social movements which started in Manchester.

These include the Manchester Peace Gardens on St Peter's Square, developed to celebrate the city's role as a city of peace, the Peterloo Memorial Plaque outside the Free Trade Hall, and the Abraham Lincoln statue on Brazenose Street, recognising the city's role in the fight against slavery.

The two mayors will also unveil a Community Gallery exhibition at the People's History Museum called 65 Years On - Remembering The Hiroshima And Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Blasts, as well as a memorial plaque outside the museum dedicated to the victims of warfare.

Cllr Mark Hackett, the Lord Mayor of Manchester, said: "The bombing of Nagasaki was among the most significant, and most horrific, events of the 20th century and we are honoured to receive a visit from somebody who experienced it first hand.

"I am sure youngsters in Manchester will get a lot out of their meeting with Mr Yamawaki, and it is vitally important we make sure the younger generation knows about the horrors of nuclear war."

Katy Archer, Director of the People's History Museum said: " The museum is delighted to be hosting the event on Friday when a survivor of the Nagasaki atomic bomb will visit to talk to school children about his experiences. 

"Oral history plays such an important part in learning about the past and hearing about experiences first-hand will be a unique opportunity for the children involved."