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On March 18, Representative Director Takase visited the Embassy of Ukraine with Director Katsura. We presented a replica of the “United Nations Peace Bell” as a token of our wish for peace.

This bell weighs 4 kg, cast by melting down coins from around the world, and we held a ceremony at Kamakura Palace to mark the entrance of the bell, just as Chiyoji Nakagawa had done. Together with Minister-Counsellor Dr.Oleksandr Semeniuk, we rang the Peace Bell and prayed for peace to come to Ukraine as soon as possible.

In the reception room of the Ukrainian Embassy, there was a Doraemon donation box collected by Japanese children to support Ukraine, and we felt the children’s wish for peace.

　　

We, Association for the Preservation of the UN Peace Bell donated the 90kg child bell of the UN Peace Bell to Republic of San Marino in Jun, 2021.

Before we ship out the Bell to San Marino, we have done an intimacy ceremony at Kamakura shrine with participants. This ritual is an important ceremony that has been held since Peace Bell was sent to the UN Headquarters in 1953.

After the ceremony at Kamakura shrine, we have done announcements in Kyoto HBS Museum and Marunouchi near Tokyo Station. This Peace Bell was sent to San Marino.

The San Marino newspaper published two pages of interview article about history of the UN Peace Bell and the background of donation of San Marino UN Peace Bell.

Many coins donated from many people around the world are kneaded into the Peace Bell. And the gold letters of “世界絶対平和萬歳” are engraved on the bell.as same as the Peace Bell in United Nations Headquarters. 『世界絶対平和萬歳』means “ World Absolute Peace Forever.

We strongly hope that the war will end as soon as possible.

And We pray World Absolute Peace Forever in this moment.

 

Right now Russia has sent large army to the bordering areas surrounding Ukraine,

and media report that Russia would initiate invasion into Ukraine very soon.

The opponent forces, USA and NATO, face immediate crisis with Russia.

Once a war initiated, it affects not only confronting parties but other relevant parties as well.

People from Japan and other countries are taking action to evacuate from Ukraine.

It is not difficult to imagine that people in their home country, Ukraine, live uneasy days.

Who on the earth would want to see war happen! That must be weapon merchant, I heard.

War leaves refugees and orphan behind, and widen the gap between rich and poor.

I sincerely hope that leaders of major powers exercise endeavour; Respect sovereignty and

strive for world peace and human happiness.

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　

Around the end of year 2021, there was an unexpected mail by Mr. Bov Iliev from Bulgaria,

who asked us whether or not Mr. Chiyoji Nakagawa sent a replica of the UN Peace Bell in 1970.

“He certainly sent the bell,” we replied together with the photo of the presentation ceremony attached.

Bov said that the person in the photo was then the Bulgarian Ambassador.” I will check

the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Embassy to see if there is the bell presented by

Chiyoji,” he said. I was anxious to hear from Bov about his findings.

Yesterday, January 18, 2022, Bov informed us of the official response from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, saying that the bell was not found.

the bell was not found. The result was an unfortunate one, but we appreciate Bov’s efforts.

This episode tells us that Ciyoji’s aspiration for peace and his efforts to present

the peace bell done half a century ago is still alive.

We would be happy to hear that the Chiyoji’s peace bell of 1970 were to be found in the future.

 

Photo: 1.　The gifted bell peace　

　　　２．Chiyoji Nakagawa presented the peace bell to Bulgarian Ammbassodor

             3.  Bulgarian ambassador at the time

The 3rd “UN Peace Bell” bell-beating ceremony was held on November 27, 2021 at Tsurumine Hachimangu in Chigasaki. Representative Takase, Director Takai and Auditor Fujioka participated from the Defending Society. After a heartfelt prayer by chief priest Nojo, a congratulatory speech, and a cute shrine maiden dance of elementary school students, Shohei Iyasaka participated from Nara and sang “Iyasaka of Hope”.

After introducing about the peace bell by Representative Takase, the participants ringed the 4kg children’s bell of the United Nations Peace Bell in turn. After the ceremony, we had a small party and had a peaceful time. We received a lot of foreign coins from worshipers from Tsurumine Hachimangu.

    

We received an email from Mr. Borislav Iliev who is living in Bulgaria and he wants to read the Story of the UN Peace Bell. He contacts us again because he wants to know that if Chiyoji Nakagawa presented the replica of the Peace Bell to Bulgaria.

And we answered to him that Yes, Chiyoji surely presented the replica of the Peace bell and attached the photo of the scene where Chiyoji is presenting the bell to the Bulgarian ambassador in 1970.

Then Mr. Iliev answered us that he is the Bulgarian ambassador at that time surely.  The Ambassador also published a book about Japan too.

Mr. Iliev said he will ask to the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs if there is a replica of the UN Peace Bell.

Another miracle happened again.

We are looking forward to hearing news from Mr. Iliev soon.

 

• 　Chiyoji is presenting the Peace Bell to the Bulgarian ambassador in 1970.
• Bulgarian ambassador in that time.