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"Stone from Hiroshima" presented at the Earth and Man Museum in Sofia

The Hiroshima Stone at Sofia's Earth and Man Museum
Photo: BGNES

The National Earth and People Museum in Sofia is marking today the Day of Mercy, established to remind us of the victims of nuclear bombings, terrorism and war. 


Traditionally, on this day, the Giant Crystals Hall displays the Hiroshima Stone. It is a granite piece from the street pavement in the city of Hiroshima, which was located within 200 metres of the epicentre of the nuclear explosion on 6 August 1945, i.e. in the area of greatest damage, where only stones survive. Later, some of these pieces were dismantled and a bas-relief of the Japanese goddess of mercy Kannon was engraved on each one. 

In 1991, on the initiative of the international association "Stone for Peace" and with the support of the inhabitants of the city of Hiroshima these stone pieces were sent to the political leaders of 188 countries around the world as a symbol of hope for peace for all mankind. 

The Bulgarian "Hiroshima Stone" was handed over to the Earth and Man Museum in 1997 with the commitment to commemorate the Day of Mercy in an appropriate way every year. 

At 11:00 a.m. a concert will be held at the museum to mark the anniversary, featuring Japanese flutist Keiko Tanaka and Bulgarian pianist Manuela Manolova. 



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