Peace Marker in Hitachi City

Peace Marker, another symbolic monument for The Peace Declaration of Hitachi city
Do you know about the “Peace Marker”that is installed near the “Peace Bells” on Hitachi JR station square? This Peace Marker was presented by Worldwide Peace Marker Project (WPMP for short), which was initiated by Mr. Tiite Baquero, molding artist in USA, to realize his idea for setting symbosl of peace with the collaboration of ther artist in 198 countries all over the world.

Why was this Peace Marker placed in Hitachi city, not in other cities in Japan? The connection between the Peace Marker and Hitachi city began in the art studio of Ms. Petra Kaiser at Cape Coral, Florida, USA. Ms. Shigemi Ohkubo, glass artist, who has a studio at Juo, Hitachi city visited Ms. Kaiser’s studio and had a close relationship with Ms. Kaiser in creative work and exhibition of works. Through this friendship, Ms. Ohkubo was introduced to Mr. Baquero who lived in Kaiser's the neighborhood and she learned the activities of WPMP. When she was requested to recommend the installation site in Japan by Mr. Baquro, she had other cities in her mind at the beginning. But she dared to propose this project to the Hitachi City Office. That was the beginning of the 2005 fiscal year. Fortunately this project obtained the support of the Mayor and others concerned as a memorial project for Hitachi city, which made the Peace declaration in commemorating the 60th aniversary of the end of the war.
On August 15, 2005, unveiling ceremony of the Peace Marker was held after having the 38th Peace meeting and parade. The following oath was recited “Each person will contribute to build a peaceful world filled with smile and without discord”. This ceremony was covered not only by local mass media but also by American TV broadcasting companies. Now, large numbers of Japanese spend peaceful days, but many Hitachi citizens experienced the disaster of war when 84% of the houses were destroyed by fire during the World War II. Still now, people are suffering from the fires of war somewhere in the world. When you have a chance to come over to Hitachi JR station square, please stop in and see the Peace Marker. Up to now, the Peace Marker has been plae in the the following seven countries; USA, Germany, Lebanon, Bosnia Herzegovina, Canada, Turkey and Japan. The plan to set the Peace Marker in Cambodia and France is underway.
	"Sakura" World peace offering by Ms. Shigemi Ohkubo