July 8th, 2009 was our first official group outing where we took the bus from Omura City to Nagasaki in order to visit the Nagasaki National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims.
I can tell you honestly that this wasn’t like any museum I’d been to before, but I guess that’s to be expected given the subject matter. Looking at all the collected objects, the various interactive displays and real pictures depicting victims only days after the explosion was a harrowing experience to say the least. I can say I was deeply affected after reading and listening to the accounts the museum had on display of survivors.
Though graphic at times, I would say the museum is a must visit for people from any country, because of the message of peace through remembering it offers. After the visit, we walked up to Peace Park, where we sat and discussed how the message each of us had just received might be passed on when we go back home. Having received first hand knowledge from an actual survivor earlier in the day and then having seen all that was on display at the museum, the consensus was that it was important to make an effort to spreading the message of peace while incorporating different countries views on history.
(Matt Clyde, Canada)
