2025 Hiroshima Nagasaki Remembrance

2025 Hiroshima Nagasaki Remembrance and Peace Lantern Ceremony

This year’s Hiroshima-Nagasaki Commemoration at Lovers Point Cove in Pacific Grove marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima (August 6) and Nagasaki (August 9). The Monterey County Branch of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, (WILPF), honors those who perished in the atomic bombings and those who survived and are still with us. This respectful, inclusive, and free event is open to the public.

The ceremony acknowledges the violence and long-term consequences of the atomic bombing and reaffirms our commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons so that such a tragedy is never repeated. With traditional taiko drumming, music, poetry, and stories, culminating in a lantern floating ceremony at dusk.

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Sharat G. Lin, a medical physicist, is affiliated with Human Agenda and is a Board Advisor for the Initiative for Equality. He teaches, writes, and lectures on global political economy, migrant labor, public health, environment, war and peace, and arts in social activism. Contact Sharat Lin at 408-915-9744 or c2hhcmF0bGluIHwgaG90bWFpbCAhIGNvbQ==

Sundown will signal the launching of the peace lanterns. Tai-Chi Master Jim Scott-Behrends will play meditative music on the Japanese shakuhachi (bamboo) flute while the Peace Lanterns float serenely on the cove waters, pulled by kayaks.

Organized by Women's International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Monterey County Branch.

Co-sponsored by the City of Pacific Grove, the Peace Coalition of Monterey County, Monterey Peninsula Friends Meeting (Quakers), Veterans for Peace, Monterey Chapter 46, and the Monterey Peace and Justice Center.

With appreciation to Pacific Grove Adventures, Lovers Point, CA, for the use of their kayaks.

Info contact: Catherine Crockett, bW9udGVyZXlwZWFjZWFuZGp1c3RpY2UgfCBnbWFpbCAhIGNvbQ== or (831) 899-7322

Press interviews and to volunteer: Beverly Bean, YmV2ZXJseWdiIHwgZ21haWwgISBjb20= or (831) 484-2451

Photo credit: With thanks to Margret Maria Cordts, who generously donated her photo work for this event.

Info: Opening Blessing – Universalist Unitarian Reverend Elaine Gehrmann **

Indigenous Land Acknowledgement - Michael Lojkovic, musician, actor, peace activist **

Mayors for Peace –Bill Peake, Pacific Grove Mayor **

Hiroshima Story -Troy Ishikawa, Interculturalist **

Poem - Jennifer Fellguth, poet **

Keynote Speech - Sharat G. Lin, medical physicist, global political economist **

Veterans For Peace - Justin Loza, Chapter 46 Vice President **

Singing - Wholehearted Community Chorus **

Closing - Carole Erickson, WILPF, Monterey Peninsula Friends Meeting (Quakers) **

Info: Sundown will signal the launching of the peace lanterns. Tai-Chi Master Jim Scott-Behrends will play meditative strains of shakuhachi flute while the Peace Lanterns float upon barges on the cove waters, pulled serenely by kayaks.

Also check out other Arts events in Pacific Grove, Literary Art events in Pacific Grove, Meetups in Pacific Grove.