Our 30th Annual Sadako Peace Day, held in the Sadako Peace Garden at La Casa de Maria in Santa Barbara on August 6, 2024, was a moving experience for the community members and participants who gathered. Attendees were able to enjoy the beautiful garden on La Casa grounds, as well as each other’s company, while having the opportunity to deeply reflect on the story of Sadako, the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and all innocent victims of war.

This year’s program began with a “Prayer for Peace” by Bob Sedivy and Emiliano Campobello from the duo East-West. In addition to Sedivy and Campobello’s music, the event featured a touching welcome from Sherry L Purcell of the Immaculate Heart Community and heartfelt poetry readings by Perie Longo, Aria Elan, and Father Larry Gosselin. The program also included reflections by Talia Wilcox, NAPF’s David Krieger Summer Intern, on why she cares about nuclear disarmament and NAPF’s President Ivana Nikolić Hughes, who shared the powerful story of Sadako and her own experience visiting Nagasaki just days earlier. Our Master of Ceremonies, Madison Kim, guided the day’s proceedings with grace and dedication.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined us for this meaningful occasion and to all who helped make it possible. We invite you to watch the program and view the photos from the event below.