8 August 2025
I was honoured to attend the Hiroshima Day service at Coventry Cathedral, joining Lord Mayor Rachel Lancaster, Cllr Ram Lakha, Cllr Angela Hopkins, and Counsellor Kentaro Kaneto from the Embassy of Japan. Together, we marked the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing — a moment of solemn reflection and shared commitment to peace.
The service brought together community leaders, peace activists, and residents to remember the lives lost in Hiroshima, acknowledge the city’s extraordinary resilience, and reaffirm Coventry’s proud legacy as a City of Peace and Reconciliation. From readings and reflections to the symbolic folding of paper cranes, the event was a powerful reminder of the human cost of conflict and the enduring hope for a more peaceful world.
Coventry’s connection to Hiroshima is deeply rooted in its post-war commitment to healing and international friendship. Events like this not only honour the past but inspire future generations to carry forward the values of compassion, understanding, and unity.
I’m grateful to the organisers, including the Coventry Lord Mayor’s Committee for Peace and Reconciliation, for creating such a meaningful space for remembrance and dialogue.
