“FROM HIROSHIMA TO HOPE” —80th Anniversary of Atomic Bombings 

Remembrance and Lanterns Shine Hope on Green Lake

WEDNESDAY EVENING – AUGUST 6, 2025

With music, poetry, and a lantern floating ceremony, From Hiroshima to Hope will shine hope and light on Green Lake on Wednesday evening, August 6th. This is the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima on August 6 and Nagasaki on August 9. The annual remembrance event honors the victims of the atomic bombings, and all victims of violence. With 1,000 candle-lit lanterns floating on Green Lake, From Hiroshima to Hope is one of the largest commemorations of the atomic bombings held outside of Japan.

6 PM lantern preparation

6 PM performances by Koto no WA and Heron Dancers.

7 PM family program*

8 PM The candle-lit lantern ceremony begins at 8:00 PM

This year also marks the 83rd anniversary of Executive Order 9066, which led to the incarceration of Japanese Americans on the U.S. West Coast.

* the family program features the popular Japanese American drumming group, Seattle Kokon Taiko. Sharon Maeda, noted Seattle social justice activist and journalist, will emcee the program. Performers include keynote speaker Stan Shikuma, activist with Tsuru for Solidarity; Seattle Youth Poet Laureate Janae Lu, The Rhapsody Songsters, Cello performance by Seattle-Japan Suzuki Institute, and Patrick Johnson on shakuhachi.