The shocking transformation of human history, which occurred on August 6, 1945, continues to echo in the collective memory of humanity. The American bomber "Enola Gay" did not simply drop an explosive over the Japanese city, but set the beginning of a new geopolitical era marked by fear, destruction, and insurmountable traumas.
Statistics speak eloquently: over 140,000 people lost their lives in that fateful moment, and hundreds of thousands were forever marked by the consequences of the atomic bomb. Among them are the so-called hibakusha - living witnesses who bear the physical and psychological scars of an unimaginable tragedy.
Kunihiko Iida is one of those rare storytellers who overcome silence. His memories reveal not only personal pain but also the collective suffering of those who experienced apocalypsis. Especially dramatic are the stories of minority communities - Koreans, Chinese, and other groups that bear doubly heavy consequences of destruction.
Bulgaria, although geographically distant, does not remain indifferent to this global narrative. As a member of the UN and EU, the country actively supports international disarmament efforts. Bulgarian youth organizations participate in initiatives such as Youth Leader Fund, which promote the idea of a world without nuclear weapons.
Contemporary forms of memory go beyond traditional museum exhibitions. Digital projects, artistic installations, and symbolic activities such as planting "trees of life" transform collective memory into action. Balkan communities are increasingly involved in these global initiatives.
Despite declarations of peace, the statistics remain alarming: currently, there are over 12,000 nuclear warheads in the world. Geopolitical tensions in Asia and Europe continue to threaten international security, making the memory of Hiroshima extremely relevant.
2025 is emerging as a key moment to rethink the lessons of the atomic bombing. Politicians, young activists, and civil organizations are increasingly raising questions about the fragility of peace, the need for dialogue, and responsibility to future generations.