The Mayor of the city of Villa Mercedes in the Province of San Luis, Argentina, Mr. Mario Raul Merlo joined the “Mayors for Peace” program in 2013. On August 5, 2014, the President of the local city council declared August 6, 2014 to be a date of “Legislative Interest” in order to celebrate the commitment to peace in Villa Mercedes.
In this regard, an event commemorating the tragic event of August 6, 1945 in Hiroshima was held at the Villa Mercedes NIHONGO Gakko, which is a school where more than 30 Argentinian young children study Japanese and Japanese culture and many times invite Villa Mercedes citizen, in charge of School principal Ms. Susana Trigo, on August 6 2014.
A commemorative ceremony took place around the flag mast at the Casa de la Cultura (House of Culture) of the City of Villa Mercedes (Province of San Luis),driving distance: 846 Kms ) to the Northwest of Buenos Aires (Federal District).
The event was attended by the City Hall and City Council authorities, by Mr. Masanao Kobayashi of the Instituto Tozai (of Buenos Aires), representatives from various institutions, pupils, parents, writers, friends and the general public.
* A pertinent speech was read for the event being marked.
* The Argentine National Anthem was sung.
* The Japanese nacional Anthem was sung.
* A one minute of silence was observed to pray for Peace in the World and for the souls of those who perished in Hiroshima.
* The municipal decree by which the local Mayor joins the “Mayors for Peace” program (signed in 2013) was read.
* The City Council President read the Declaration making the remembrance of the Hiroshima Holocaust on August 6 a matter of Legislative Interest.
* The Argentine Flag was raised along an extended flag comprised of origami cranes folded by the pupils of the Japanese school.
* Teacher, writer and Universal Ambassador for Peace Ms. Profesora Teresita Moran de Valcheff read her poem “LA NOCHE DE HIROSHIMA” (THE NIGHT OF HIROSHIMA)
* Historian and writer Mr. HECTOR PABLO OSSOLA, read “Oracion por la PAZ” (Prayer for Peace)
* The pupils of the Nihongo Gakko handed origami cranes of Hope and Peace to all the attendees. Afterwards, the children watched the memorial event in Hiroshima on NHK Japanese TV.
Fundacion Sadako had been invited to this ceremony but unfortunately, its scheduled trip for the memorial in Hiroshima at that time made it impossible to attend the Villa Mercedes event. Fundacion Sadako thanked the invitation and sent its good wishes for peace and friendship and it promised to be present at Villa Mercedes on the occasion of the International Day for Peace to be marked on September 28/9, when an exhibit of posters and other material from the Peace Memorial Museum of Hiroshima will be on view.
>Related information (The website of Fundación Sadako, Spanish)