„Songbirds and ravens were no longer there either“

Reading from the book „Singvögel und Raben waren auch nicht mehr da“ with Fabian Liedtke and Rima Ideguchi (granddaughter of the author)

followed by a lecture by the IPPNW on the effects of nuclear weapons with Dr Gabriele von Wahlert (IPPNW) andDr Ingrid Farzin (IPPNW)

Event on the occasion of the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize 2024 to Nihon Hidankyo, the largest Japanese organisation of Hibakushas – survivors of the atomic bombings and nuclear tests who „vowed that never again should anyone be exposed to such hellish experiences as we had“. The award ceremony will take place on 10 December 2024 in Oslo.

Reading

Shigemi Ideguchi (1919-2001) experienced and survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945 from a distance of just 500 metres. He recorded his memories in the book „Songbirds and Ravens Were No Longer There – Report from the Centre of the Atomic Bomb Blast“ . Shigemi Ideguchi not only describes the destruction of buildings and nature, but also the effects of nuclear radiation on the bodies and souls of the victims. In view of the ceased disarmament and threats of nuclear weapons, the book has lost none of its topicality. In 2015, his granddaughter Rima Ideguchi, who lives in Bochum, and her husband Fabian Liedtke translated the disturbingly poetic book into German. They will present excerpts from the book at the Fritz Bauer Library, accompanied by musical contributions from Rima Ideguchi on the trombone. You can find more information about the book here: https://www.hentrichhentrich.de/buch-singvoegel-und-raben-waren-auch-nicht-mehr-da.html

Lecture

„Nuclear weapons are the most destructive weapon the world has ever seen,“ said Nobel Committee Chairman Joergen W. Frydnes in 2024. The nuclear arsenals of the nuclear powers today contain a nuclear explosive force equivalent to more than 130,000 Hiroshima bombs. „They can kill millions and have a catastrophic impact on the climate. A nuclear war could destroy our civilisation“ (Frydnes). IPPNW Bochum’s contribution deals with these effects and the joint work with Nihon Hidankyo to ban nuclear weapons and strengthen the nuclear taboo.

An event organised by the Fritz Bauer Forum in cooperation with the IPPNW Bochum.