Report by Ms. Loréna Schlicht, AFCDRP–Mayors for Peace France
On August 5 and 6, 2022, Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier, President of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole and Vice-President of Mayors for Peace France, participated in the Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima. Mayor Delafosse officially represented AFCDRP–Mayors for Peace France at the request of its President, Mayor Philippe Rio of Grigny. In the ceremony, Mayor Delafosse honored the hibakusha, victims of the nuclear bombs, and testified in favor of lasting world peace, and offered a wreath of flowers on behalf of the city of Montpellier.
“In the current context of war in Ukraine and the threat of nuclear weapons, the commitment of democratic states, but also of peaceful territories is crucial. We have both a duty to remember, as we do today the Hiroshima bombing victims, and the responsibility to act collectively by committing ourselves to eternal peace by addressing current issues, such as poverty, refugee welfare, abuse and environmental protection,” said Michaël Delafosse.
To close this commemoration, Mayor Delafosse participated in the floating lantern ceremony on the banks of the Motoyasu River in the Peace Memorial Park.
A day before, on August 5, Mayor Delafosse was received by Mayor of Hiroshima and President of Mayors for Peace, Kazumi Matsui. In the meeting, Mayor Delafosse discussed a number of ongoing initiatives and public policies in Montpellier.
