Port of Call LAST UPDATE December 11, 2008
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November 28, 2008 Las Palmas – Home away from home for Japan's Peace Constitution
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The Mayor of Las Palmas receives a necklace of paper cranes from the Hibakusha delegation to honour his efforts on behalf of peace
Dotted with tall sail boats, the sunny riviera of Las Palmas greeted the 63rd Peace Boat Global Voyage as it arrived on the island of Gran Canaria. Against a backdrop of houses that look like multicoloured building blocks climbing vibrant green hills, members of the Hibakusha project descended the gangway to continue their historic mission of telling others about horrific effects of nuclear weapons and the urgent need for disarmament. They were welcomed with open arms by the mayor of Las Palmas, who said he was deeply moved by the group's peacebuilding activities. “When the atomic bomb was dropped, I was nine years old and I still remember that day now,” he said. “At the time I knew nothing of Japan or the atomic bomb, but later I studied the issue and learned about Hibakusha, and I am honoured to have you here,” he added.
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Sanyo Ikuyo, who was eight years old when the atomic bomb was dropped upon Hiroshima, speaks to the crowds gathered in front of the Article 9 monument
Afterward, the delegation boarded buses for a short ride that took them from a coast edged with palm trees to rocky outcrops before reaching the inland town of Telde. At the entrance to the town lies the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Plaza, which has a monument to Article 9 of the Japanese constitution in its centre. Article 9 renounces war as a method of settling disputes, as well as the maintenance of armed forces. The plaza was built in 1996 after a poster campaign highlighting the beauty of Article 9 triggered the idea.
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Members of the Hibakusha delegation and Telde locals sing a peace chorus together
As the monument sparkled in the morning sun, Celeste Medina Lopez, City Councillor for Economy and Tourism, pointed out that the positioning of the monument has been highly effective. “This monument was erected next to a junior high school so that the next generation has the opportunity to learn about Article 9 and peace,” she noted. After the speeches, the Hibakusha delegation broke into a song to the tune of Beethoven’s ninth symphony that pays respect to the spirit of Article 9.
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“I am glad I can witness such a place. I feel we are getting back to the origin of what we are trying to do” said one Hibakusha
After the chorus of voices, participants had time to relax in the warm sunlight and reflect on the significance of Article 9 being honoured in a land so far from Japan. “I think this is a precious opportunity for us as Hibakusha to visit the monument in Las Palmas, and the fact that the spirit of Article 9 is alive in Las Palmas is remarkable,” said one. Deeply grateful that the Japanese constitution was recognised in Telde, some of the delegation's sentiments were tempered by the need for action as well as words. “I am deeply impressed that the spirit of Article 9 has been brought to such a distance part of the globe-- it almost puts us to shame—and the transfer of such things has great symbolic meaning, but we need to express our feelings in actions, not just in ceremony,” said another. Currently, Japan's leading political is attempting to revise Article 9 in order to officially remilitarize the country.
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The short presentation left none in the audience in doubt about the horrific effects of the atomic bombings
After a short walk to the museum of Leon y Castillo, participants were greeted by a courtyard pond of turtles basking in the midday sun before being ushered into the cool of the museum. Once the congregation was seated on wooden church pews, a small group of Hibakusha gave a short presentation on the damage and destruction inflicted upon the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the atomic bombings. The human devastation and destruction was displayed in black and white photographs that showed humans vaporized into shadows on a wall, and a mother and child dying in each other's arms. Members also spoke movingly of how as the new leaves grew on the trees of Nagasaki, so did the hope in people’s hearts. This hope was echoed in their admiration of Telde’s effort towards peace. “I’m glad to be in this island that treasures peace. I came to Peace Boat to tell my story all over the world, to bring a message of peace and this island gives me hope,” said one Hibakusha.
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Young and old were touched by the moving testimony of the Hibakusha and the spirit of peace they are carrying around the world
Then it was the turn to speak of Juan Jimenez Alemán, representative of local environmental NGO, TURCON. “After listening to your stories, I realised the power of nuclear weapons. It’s something you need to hear from people. It’s difficult to imagine without your voice,” he said. TURCON, founded a quarter of a century ago, works with school children and teachers to preserve the environment they live in. The organization collaborates with many different environmental and NGO groups to spread their actions citywide and all across mainland Spain. Mr Jimenez explained that the current focus of their work is on dispersing a greater awareness of the dangers of nuclear power. “We need to make people aware of the downside of nuclear power. People think that nuclear power can save the world but I think it is a ridiculous idea," he said. After the speeches and warm handshakes, there was just time for a quick Mediterranean lunch and a final moment in the last shards of the orange sunlight before returning to the ship, revelling in the knowledge that Japan’s spirit of peace had reached this beautiful faraway isle.