ShareKUWAIT: The second Hiroshima Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Poster Exhibition has launched at the Contemporary Art Platform (CAP) in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy on Tuesday. The event honored Hiraoka Sachiko, the niece of a hibakusha (an atomic bomb survivor). Hiraoka traveled all the way from Hiroshima to address the gathering — the first testimony of its kind in an Arab country.
Hiraoka said her aunt was a second-year student when was exposed to the atomic bomb. She highlighted the importance of sharing the stories of survivors to prevent another atomic-bomb disaster. “Survivors, by their very existence, hold a real deterrent power against nuclear weapons, and their voices, sharing their experiences,” she said.
CAP founder Amer Huneidi highlighted the significance of the exhibition as an opportunity to engage in the remembrance of atomic bomb survivors. He added that the posters displayed at the event speak to the resilience of humans and how essential it is to learn from the past and honor it.
Japanese Ambassador Mukai Kenichiro echoed Huneidi’s remarks. “(Hiraoka’s) story brings a human voice to history and reminds us that the impact of Hiroshima continues to resonate across generations,” he said. He noted with pride that the Japan Confederation of Atomic and Hydrogen Bomb Sufferers Organization (Nihon Hidankyo) – which represent atomic bomb survivors – was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024.
Amidst rising global tensions, Kenichiro emphasized that Japan remains “firmly committed to the abolition of nuclear weapons and the promotions of peace.” He lauded Kuwait’s international role in advocating for peace. “We are especially proud to collaborate with Kuwait, a country that has consistently shown a deep respect for peace and humanitarian values,” he said.
Kenichiro invited everyone to visit Hiroshima. “It is a peaceful, vibrant, and beautiful city far removed from the devastation you see in these posters,” he said. “The contrast itself is a powerful testament to the strength of peace and resilience.”
After the speeches a movie was played portraying Hiraoka’s aunt’s experience of the atomic bomb explosion and its effects on her family. The Hiroshima Nagasaki Atomic Poster Exhibition will be on display at CAP from April 29 to May 25, 2025.
