UNC Asheville and the Center for Diversity Education will host the national traveling exhibit "Hiroshima-Nagasaki: Images and Stories from Eyewitness Accounts" July 9-August 8 in UNC Asheville's Karpen Hall Lobby. An opening reception and talk by Hiroshima blast survivor Miyoko Watanabe will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 9, in the lobby. Additional opening reception special guests will include Japanese delegates from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum . The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. However, due to the graphic nature of the images in this educational exhibit, events are not recommended for children.

 

In conjunction with the exhibit, a screening of the documentary "White Light/Black Rain: The Destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki" and a peace vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, in UNC Asheville's Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall. These events, which examine the lingering impact of the bombings, are also free and open to the public.

 

"Hiroshima-Nagasaki: Images and Stories from Eyewitness Accounts" features 30 large posters depicting scenes of the U.S. bombing of the cities in 1945. The exhibit, which includes graphic imagery from before and after the blasts, is an initiative of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The museum advocates for the peaceful disarmament of all nations possessing nuclear weapons by increasing citizen awareness of the effects of nuclear weapons. The exhibit is part of 101 exhibits on view across the nation.

 

Founded in 1995, the Center for Diversity Education encourages conversation along the lines that often separate communities by focusing on ethnic, racial, cultural and religious diversity through exhibits, road shows and staff development programs. The Center has created 11 traveling exhibits about Buncombe County and Western North Carolina on such themes as desegregation, immigration, religious pilgrimage, World War II, genocide and globalization.

 

UNC Asheville's Karpen Hall Lobby, located on the main floor of the building, is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. For more information about these events, contact the Center for Diversity Education at 828/232-5024 or dmiles@unca.edu. Additional information is available online at www.diversityed.org.