Manchester’s Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day Events 2025

Report by Mr. Richard Outram, the City of Manchester, UK

Manchester was proud to host two events to commemorate the 80^th anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The first was held at the Manchester Museum to mark Hiroshima Day on 6 August, in part in the Living World Gallery where delegates to the Executive Cities Conference in October 2024 met for dinner, and the second by a Hibaku ginkgo tree in Heaton Park on August 9 to mark Nagasaki Day.

As the Lord Mayor of Manchester was in Japan, Deputy Lord Mayor Shaukat Ali represented the city to pay his respects.

About 70 people attended the Hiroshima event and 50 the Nagasaki event.

Both programmes included an introduction to the tragic events of August 1945, readings including testimonies from Hibakusha, poetry, and at the outdoor Nagasaki Day event songs from members of Bolton Clarion Choir. Participants were asked to reflect during the holding of a minute’s silence and at Heaton Park, the Deputy Lord Mayor was also able to lay a floral wreath in remembrance of the victims.

Thanks are due to the staff of Manchester Museum, the Heaton Park team, Greater Manchester CND and former Mayors for Peace Chapter Secretary Sean Morris for their support in organising and hosting these events.

David Houliston from Manchester City Council presided at the Hiroshima Day event

Participants at the Hiroshima Day event (left to right) included former Lord Mayor Eddy Newman, the Deputy Lord Mayor Shaukat Ali, the Honorary Consul to Japan in Manchester Jo Ahmed, former Lord Mayor Yasmine Dar, and Cllr Erinma Bell MBE

Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Shaukat Ali paying his respects after laying the wreath.

the card which accompanied the wreath.

Photos: courtesy of the City of Manchester