I had the opportunity to visit this special monument located in Rikuzentakata City, in the Otomo district last week. Aside from being set in a very beautiful location, this monument and fire serves as a reminder for the lives lost, lives affected and people fighting to get their lives back on track. It’s so easy to forget and get lost in our everyday lives, so sometimes we need a little reminder as to why we’re doing what we’re doing. Especially now that the one year anniversary of the quake is coming up in about a month, it’s important to remind ourselves that recovery is just getting started.
Stay strong, stay calm, fight on and don’t forget.
In order to give as much hope as possible to the survivors of the Great Eastern Japan disasters that occurred on 2:46pm, March 11, 2011, this light was brought here through many domestic and international donations, and through the cooperation of many volunteers.
This light was originally created to give hope to the survivors of the Great Hanshin-Awaji disasters, which occurred on 5:46am, January 17, 1995. Embers were collected from all 47 prefectures in Japan, and on January 17, 2000, a monument was erected in Kobe City and the “1.17 Light of Hope” was lit, and is still aflame today.
Let us live together and not forget what these disasters have taught us about kindness, consideration, friendship and kindred ties.
この『希望の灯り』は
2011年３月１１日午後２時４６分に発生した
東日本大震災で被災された方々に
少しでも希望を持っていただきたいとの思いから
国内外からのご寄付をもとに
被災地のみなさんとボランティアが協力して建立しました。
ここに灯る火は、1995年１月１７日午前５時４６分に発生した
阪神淡路大震災で被災した方々をはげまそうと
全国47都道府県から種火が集められ
2000年の１月１７日、神戸市の東遊園地に
『1.17希望の灯り』として点灯され、いまも灯り続けています。
震災が教えてくれた
やさしさ、思いやり、仲間、絆の大切さを忘れること無く
ともに歩んでいきましょう。
