The EMU Amphitheater will soon be filled with the images of war.
Beginning Wednesday, the Japanese Student Organization hosts its second War and Peace Ceremony. Last year’s ceremony focused on the destruction brought upon Nagasaki and Hiroshima in 1945 with the dropping of the atomic bomb.
“Last year’s event included only a few perspectives, mostly U.S. and Chinese,” JSO co-director Shigeo Murao said. “It was more two-sided.”
The object of this year’s ceremony is to illuminate the horror of past wars and ensure the eternal peace and prosperity of the future, according to organizers.
“This year the event will be more inclusive,” JSO assistant public relations director Aaron Ernst said. “It will look at all conflict in general to show that there is no one correct side in conflict, there is never a real hero in war.”
This year’s more expansive theme not only reflects the hope for all cultures to understand the effects of war, but it also reflects the goals of the JSO.
“In our new mission statement we have stated that we want to include more cross-cultural relationships, not only Japanese,” Murao said. “This event of War and Peace includes many other countries.”
Event coordinators say they are hopeful about the numbers of people who will attend.
“We are trying to get as many people involved as possible,” Murao said.
The actual ceremony will take place Thursday at 8:30 p.m. in the EMU Amphitheater. University International professor Rob Proudfoot will speak at the event. The finale will be a special film titled “War and Peace,” which will be projected on two 12×12 foot screens.
“The video will show various images of war,” Ernst said. “While the images are fairly graphic they are a realistic portrayal of war that will then be contrasted with the hope for peace.”
Displays and exhibitions highlighting the atrocities of war will be open for public viewing and comment from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Aug. 2-3 and Aug. 7-8 at the EMU Amphitheater.
For more information or questions contact the Japanese Student Organization at 346-4389.