Suffer The Little Children, a photo from Hiroshima, Chugoku

Photographer's Note

When I was at Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Museum I saw hundred of little children on school excursions. Inside they looked with serious expressions at the twisted metal, the melted statues of Buddha and remnants of school uniforms- meagre yet damning reminders of the fate of their city and inhumanity of man.
With the current crisis in the nuclear rectors, I read that children are terrified and are afraid to play outside, no doubt remembering the horrible stories and exhibits that they might have seen on their school excursions.

In my photo you can see the attentive little souls as their teacher explains the significance of the site. The cenotaph is in front of them and in the distance you can see the “Atomic Dome.”

In1949, a design was selected for the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, the closest surviving building to the location of the bomb's detonation, was designated the Genbaku Dome (原爆ドーム) or "Atomic Dome", a part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum was opened in 1955 in the Peace Park.

Between the Museum and the A-Bomb Dome is the Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims. The Cenotaph is an arched tomb for those who died because of the bomb, either because of the initial blast or exposure to radiation. Below the arch is a stone chest holding a register of these names, of which there are over 220,000.

ktanska, francio64, maloutim, skippy007, skippy007 trouve(nt) cette note utile

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ktanska (44492) 2011-03-22 5:31

Hi Klaudio,
Quite timely shot even though it's not about bombs at the moment. I can only imagine the importance of this place to Japanese. And for sure those children listen carefully.
Title - a Pat Benatar quote?
Kari

francio64 (39888) 2011-03-22 6:01

Ciao caro Klaudio,
bella immagine, soprattutto per il profondo significato che trasmette.

Well done and TFS! Have a nice evening!
Francesco

emka (157280) 2011-03-22 6:16

Zdravo Klaudio,

I haven't seen this memorial in Hiroshima, I only went by it by tram. I was in the Peace park in Nagasaki.
I can imagine the kids can be terrified. I remember all the stories I was told about the war and than was afraid of any unexpected jests or shots. Apart of the message, this is a nice photo. The kids are diciplined, listen to the explanation, have nice white caps and red backpacks.

So you were born in Dalmatia. Now I understand zdravo and pozdrav :), and also your name - it is probably the Italian version of Dadić.

Warm regards

Malgo

holmertz (102096) 2011-03-22 12:57

Hello Klaudio,
Although this has no real connection with the events of recent days it still serves as a symbol of the tragedy thas has once again hit the Japanese people. As a picture it is also quite attractive for the lines of white caps and mainly red backpacks and the attentiveness of the kids (although some of them seem to have discovered you).
Kind regards,
Gert

maloutim (13617) 2011-03-22 19:35

Hi Klaudio,
A sadly well-adapted photo ! It's just a reminder how the nuclear power is dangerous, whether it be for bombs or power-stations.
People and Governments are forgetful ! After so many casualties due to the bombs in 1945, one would have expected caution in such a fragile country.
Beautiful composition with on the left,the group of children being very attentive, although some have spotted the photographer !
The memorial on the right then leads the eye to the park and the city behind, as if to say one must nevertheless look to the future.
Thanks for sharing such a symbolic picture !
Best regards.
Marie-Louise.

skippy007 (12510) 2011-04-13 3:25

Ciao Klaudio, When I looked at this my first thoughts were that of the current Nuclear disaster, I didn't look to see when it was posted but I read your note & saw that you made mention of it, no doubt they would all be terrified, children & adults alike. A timely reminder. Well done
Take care
Santo