Bristol Hiroshima-Nagasaki peace gathering returns to Castle Park this weekend to mark the anniversary of dropping of the atomic bombs on Japan in World War II. 

The four-day event, organised by XR Peace and Bristol CND, includes a packed schedule of talks, workshops, music and craftivism. A full timetable of events is available to view here. 

Saturday (August 6) begins with a die-in at 8.15am, the moment the first atomic bomb struck Hiroshima and in an instant ended the lives of tens of thousands of civilians. Many would later die of injuries, burns and radiation sickness. 

On Sunday, the vigil is joined by Christian Climate Action and Rev. Sue Parfitt will deliver a communion service. This is followed by talks on conflict, climate change and decolonisation. 

Monday brings talks about the legacy of Greenham Common whilst on Tuesday Bristol Radical History Group delivers a talk “eye-witness from Japan”. 

A second die-in at 11.02am on Tuesday marks the moment of the second bomb being dropped on Nagasaki. 

Participants will also deliver peace petitions to the West of England Combined Authority and Bristol City Council. 

The peace gathering takes place in Castle Park in a small grove next to the cycle path overlooking Left Handed Giant. Find full event details on Facebook.

Feature image: Simon Holliday.