“I will write ‘Peace’ on your wings and you will fly all over the world”
Sadako Sasaki
On 6th August 1945, an atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, the first of only two nuclear weapons that have ever been used in active war. The impact was devastating. The bombs killed more than 200,000 people, mostly civilians, and impacted the health of many thousands more for years to come.
Just 2km from the bomb site, 2 year old Sadako miraculously survived, seemingly unscathed despite the deaths of many of her neighbours. Sadly though, Sadako became ill with leukaemia as a result of radiation poisoning, known as ‘A Bomb disease’, when she was 12 years old.
Inspired by Japanese folklore, Sadako started folding origami Peace Cranes. Legend said that if you fold 1000 cranes, one for each year of the mythical bird’s life, then the cranes would grant your wish or prayers. Sadako folded well over 1000 and continued to pray for her health and for an end to nuclear weapons, but sadly died later that year surrounded by her family.
Her classmates, who had lost so many friends to the devastating impact of the A Bomb, formed a Unity Club in her honour. Three years after her death, the club had grown in membership and support and had raised enough money to erect a monument to remember her and all those who had died because of the bomb. Known as the Children’s Peace Monument, it stands in the Hiroshima Peace Park, close to the spot the bomb was dropped. Today, children all over the world fold cranes and send them to Japan as a symbol of peace and a continued desire for a world without war and nuclear weapons.
Inspired by this story, St. Mary’s Conwy is working with Pensychnant Conservation Centre to create a community art installation of more than 1000 origami peace cranes to be displayed in St. Mary’s Church this summer. Members of the community are invited to come to public workshops at the Pensychnant Conservation Centre, to learn how to make the origami cranes, and contribute to the installation.
We hope the installation will serve as a visual reminder of Sadako’s wish for peace, particularly at this time of increasing tension and war in the Holy Land and Ukraine, and as a celebration of Conwy’s twinning with Himeji in Japan, which in itself is a shining example of international friendship and cooperation. Various community groups and schools have also been invited to take part, and paper will be available in St. Mary’s Church throughout the installation for tourists and visitors to fold and contribute to the project.
The installation will continue throughout the summer, with a special event on 6th August, the Japanese Day of Peace, and another event to welcome the Mayor of Himeji during their visit to Conwy later this year. Following the installation in St. Mary’s, the cranes will be separated and gifted to Himeji, some will be sent to Hiroshima to the Children’s Peace Memorial, and the rest will be moved to various locations including Pensychnant, the schools that have taken part in the workshops, and other locations as a moving exhibition. The project leads also hope to work with Conwy Castle for future development of the installation.
If you would like to take part in one of our public workshops, please email julian.pensychnant@btinternet.com to register your interest. The workshops are led by origami expert Lynn Williams, and will take place at the Pensychnant Conservation Centre on the dates below. Places are limited, so register early to avoid disappointment. All participants will be invited to the special events, and their contributions will be featured in the installation at St. Mary’s Church.
Sunday 7th April 2-4pm
email julian.pensychnant@btinternet.com now to secure your place
Monday 8th April 7-9pm
Monday 29th April 2-4pm
This Creu Conwy Town Team project is funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Mae’r prosiect Tim Tref Creu Conwy hwn yn cael ei gyllido gan Lywodraeth y DU drwy Gronfa Ffyniant Gyffredin y DU.
The UK Shared Prosperity Fund is a central pillar of the UK government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit the link below.
caruconwy.com 