From Ambassador (40th Anniversary of the Reykjavik Summit, and Hiroshima and Nagasaki)

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the 1986 Reagan-Gorbachev summit (the Reykjavik Summit), a series of events were held in Iceland with the initiatives of President Halla Tómasdóttir. Representatives from Hiroshima and Nagasaki also participated, delivering a powerful message for peace. I wish to present an overview of these events with photographs as below;
 

• October 6 (Tue): Opening ceremony for the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb and Peace Exhibition (at Reykjavík City Hall); talk by “Hibakusha” (atomic bomb survivor) Ms. Teruko Yahata.
• October 7 (Wed): Talks by “Hibakusha” Ms. Teruko Yahata at the University of Iceland and Menntaskólinn við Hamrahlíð.
• October 9 (Fri): President Halla had dialogue with Tristan Harris (co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology) at the Arctic Circle Assembly.
• October 9 (Fri): Lighting ceremony for the Imagine Peace Tower.
• October 10 (Sat): “Samtal” - a national dialogue (with a focus on youth).
• October 11 (Sun): Summary report on the “Samtal” and performance of "Imagine" by choir.
• October 12 (Mon): At the "Imagine Forum." President Halla had discussion with the President of Slovenia and a former President of Ireland, moderated by Christiane Amanpour.
• October 14 (Wed): Screening of the film “Inori” ("Prayer"), which focuses on the atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

The land size of Iceland might be small, but it possesses a firm commitment to peace. It is worth noting that the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb and Peace Exhibition was made possible, with President Halla’s visit to Hiroshima last May, which took place in connection with the Osaka-Kansai Expo. In addition, Minister for Foreign Affairs Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir visited Nagasaki during her trip to Japan this past February. Alongside the determination of these leaders, one can also sense the voices of the younger generation.

Furthermore, Japanese individuals are making their mark in Iceland. I was deeply impressed by the excellent English-language presentation delivered by Ms. Teruko Yahata. I thank the many people who traveled to Iceland—including Director Katsuya Matsumura and Movie Producer Keiko Jonouchi —for the screening of the film “Inori” (Prayer: Figments of Nagasaki). It was also highly significant that Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, took the stage at the Imagine Forum. I hope that many more Japanese people will visit Iceland and embrace this country’s remarkable soft power.