The City of Würzburg, located in Lower Franconia in Bavaria, has been a member city since 1992. In commemoration of 80 years after the atomic bombings, Würzburg actively engage in the Mayors for Peace activities – one of which was holding an exhibition with the title When Cities Fall Silent and Children Speak from August 1 to August 27, 2025.
The exhibition combined powerful images with hopeful visions – serving both as a reminder of the past and as an appeal for a peaceful future.
On the one hand, 22 poster from the Mini Atomic Bomb Exhibit showing images of the destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki following the U.S. atomic bombings of August 6 and 9, 1945, and on the other hand, 25 artworks from the Mayors for Peace Children’s Art Competition “Peaceful Towns” were on display in the upper foyer of City Hall. Along with the exhibition, paper cranes were displayed, inviting visitors to fold them as a symbol of peace.
Lord Mayor Martin Heilig emphasizing the importance and purpose of the exhibition, stating: “The exhibition raises awareness of the devastating consequences of nuclear weapons and underscores the urgency of committing to peace.”
Around 500 visitors attended the exhibition. Among them, Nadine, 42, who shared her impressions: “I am deeply moved by the children’s prayers for peace expressed through their artworks. If more people thought as openly and sincerely as children do, the world would be a far more peaceful place.” Another visitor, Alexander, 35, described his experience: “The exhibition left a profound and lasting impact on me. I was moved by the stark contrast between the horrors of the nuclear bombing and its devastating aftermath, and the enduring hope that shines through the children’s dreams and aspirations in their art. This hope is genuine and precious – something we must hold onto, especially in times of rising tensions. The children remind us of the urgent need to pursue peaceful resolutions wherever conflicts arise.”
Photos: courtesy of the City of Wurzburg