The one-day-only performance of Afternoon of Peace, a multi-media live event that tells the story of the atom bomb survivors -- known as Hibakusha -- of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will be presented on Feb. 22, at 2pm at the Aratani Theatre. The performance is presented by Shadows for Peace and the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center.
Afternoon of Peace is a tale of devastation, resilience and hope for the future told through song (classical and jazz), dance (modern and traditional), photography, current and historical moving images and the spoken word of the Hibakusha themselves.
For ticketing and other information visit www.JACCC.org/AOP or Aratani Theatre box-office at (213) 680-3700.
“Our goal in staging Afternoon of Peace is to help educate the public, and students in particular, about the devastating effects of atomic bombs and giving voice to the Hibakusha of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is a very direct and personal way to do it,” noted Robert Horsting, President of Shadows for Peace.
Alison De La Cruz, Vice President of Programs at Japanese American Cultural and Community Center continues, “It’s been many decades since the atomic bombings and there’s a vital question that we all need to ponder -- ‘in the past 75 years, is it only the bombs that have gotten smarter?’”
Dr. Maya Soetoro-Ng, the peace and conflict resolution educator will serve as Honorary Chair of Afternoon of Peace. This performance is dedicated to the memory of Richard Yukata Fukuhara, founder of Shadows for Peace and to honor the Hibakusha, whose resilience, love of life and message of peace inspire us all.
Richard Yutaka Fukuhara conceived and started developing Shadows for Peace in 2010. In 2013, Richard was joined by the award-winning documentary filmmaker and Oral Historian, Robert M. Horsting to broaden the concept through their collaboration.
They started video recording the Hibakusha and produced a series of “Shadows for Peace” forums, featuring various Hibakusha presenters, videos and art works thanks to the generous support from the Orange Coast Optimists.
The catalyst for “Afternoon of Peace” grew from a dream Richard had, envisioning the depiction of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima through the medium of modern dance. The resulting commissioned dance is a centerpiece of this production.
“Shadows for Peace” forums have been presented to Chapman University, the Japanese American National Museum’s Tateuchi Center For Democracy, Loara High School, San Fernando Valley Japanese American Community Center, California State University Fullerton, the Katy Geissert Civic Library in Torrance, Santa Ana Middle College High School, Long Beach Japanese Cultural Center, Gardena Valley Japanese Cultural Institute, Glendale Downtown Central Library, and the Terasaki Nibei Foundation.
Afternoon of Peace is presented by Shadows for Peace and Japanese American Cultural & Community Center and sponsored in part by: Aratani Foundation, Gonsaku & Mine Ito Family, Orange Coast Optimist Club, Mike E. Vaughn Law Offices, Fukui Mortuary, Inc., Richard & Masako Murakami, Nanka Yamaguchi Kenjinkai and John S. Gong.
