June 10, 2025
International Peace Lanterns Executive Committee

This August marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing. We have planned the following International Peace Lantern Event in order to repose the souls of the victims, to convey the reality of the A-bomb damage, and to raise awareness of the need for peace.

The lanterns are filled with the requiem of the dead and a wish for peace. In Hiroshima, it is said that the event began soon after World War II, when bereaved families and citizens who lost relatives and acquaintances in the atomic bombing floated handmade lanterns down the Motoyasu River as a “memorial” and a wish for “reconstruction.

The preamble of the UNESCO Charter states, “Since war is born in the hearts of men, we must build a cordon of peace in the hearts of men. The purpose of this event is to build a torch of peace in people’s hearts by creating illustrations and messages for peace lantern events around the world, exchanging them, and holding peace lantern events around the world. We believe that this will be a good opportunity for international exchange. We would be grateful for your cooperation.

In addition, 27 schools from 6 countries have participated in the “Paper Crane Event” (https://www.hyogo-c.ed.jp/~maiko-hs/oriduru/P1_1.pdf) in commemoration of the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations (Hidankyo). We look forward to your continued cooperation.

Notes

１．International Peace Lantern Event

I. Production of illustrations and messages for the International Peace Lantern Event

(1) We will call out to the world through the UNESCO Schools Network and other means.

(2) Write illustrations and messages for peace and upload them to the websites of schools and organizations.　(A4 size and save the data as PDF file)

(3) Send the URL to the following address, and we will put them on the website of Maiko High School in Hyogo Prefecture by country.

maiko-hs-une(a)hyogo-c.ed.jp *Please change (a) to @ (Maiko High School, Tsuboi)

II. Implementation of International Peace Lantern Event

(1) For each implementing entity in each region, please download and print freely from the data collected in I. (1) Each local implementing organization is requested to download and print freely from the data collected in Section I., assemble the lanterns, and implement the lantern event.

(2) The event should be held on the first Saturday night of August whenever possible. (This event started in 1986 when Dr. James Baumgaertner of Wisconsin, U.S.A., called for an international event to pray for world peace.

Please take pictures of the International Lantern Festival and upload them to your school’s or organization’s website.

We will upload them to the web site of Maiko High School in Hyogo Prefecture by country.

maiko-hs-une(a)hyogo-c.ed.jp *Please change (a) to @ (Maiko High School, Tsuboi)

Tip…It is best to float the lanterns in a slow-flowing river, but it is also fine to simply display them by floating them in a pond or setting them on the ground and making letters on them. Please make arrangements according to the situation at each location.

That’s all.

 

＜How to make Peace Lanterns＞

1) Select freely from among the illustrations and message data compiled by country on the Maiko High School web, download the file, print it out in A4 size, attach the four sheets with cellotape from the inside, fold the top and bottom 2 cm, and fasten the corners with staples, etc. to complete the project.

2) Use a candle or LED light to light the lantern. Use candles or LED lights to light the lanterns.

When making a lantern float, prepare a piece of styrofoam about 25 cm on a side at the bottom and attach it to the float.

Examples of Lantern Illustrations and Messages

Assembling the Lanterns

Ceremony in which paper lanterns are floated down a river

 

☆International Peace Lantern Executive Committee☆

Representative: Hiroyasu Tsuboi (Maiko High School UNESCO School, Hyogo Prefecture; Steering Committee Member, a second-generation A-bomb survivor Association in Hyogo Prefecture)
Committee Member: Toshiko Machida (Matsudo International High School)
Committee Member: Makoto Kamata (Staff member of Kwansei Gakuin Educational Corporation, an A-bomb legacy successor)

**contact information
maiko-hs-une（a）hyogo-c.ed.jp
Please change (a) to @ (Maiko High School, Tsuboi)