Winnipeg residents honour Hiroshima survivor Sadako Sasaki by folding 1000 paper cranes for peace
Posted July 17, 2025 9:16 pm.
Last Updated July 17, 2025 9:17 pm.
What began as frustration over the state of world peace has turned in something beautiful. A group of residents have folded 1000 paper cranes, inspired by a Hiroshima survivors’ story, soon the be sent to Japan for their International Peace Ceremony.
“Getting the 1000 cranes done and getting them to Hiroshima for the peace ceremony that is what we wanted to see at the end of this,” said Darren Hemeryck, program director of activities. “At the times were at now with Russia Ukraine and in the States, the message kind of resonated with everybody”
A simple origami activity quickly became something deeper, as the group was inspired by the story of Sadako Sasaki, a young girl from Hiroshima who, after falling ill from radiation exposure, began folding 1000 paper cranes, hoping for healing and peace.
“The amount of respect Japanese people have for what happened and the people that died, and them looking towards world peace, it resonates with you,” said Hemeryck.
Each crane is a quiet statement against war, for peace and a reflection of how even small acts can carry global meaning.
“I remember seeing my mother crying at the bottom of the stairs looking at the paper of when the British went into Belson, and then after V day seeing what happened in Hiroshima, this is pretty important to me,” said Judith Pansnon, resident.
Together the group has reached their goal of 1000 cranes. They are now on display for others to see before they are sent to Hiroshima for the city’s annual Peace Ceremony on August 6th. A Japanese Canadian family member also sent a note of thanks, a reminder that this simple act in Winnipeg has meaning far beyond its walls.
“She wanted to sincerely thank all of you for creating the cranes for peace and the tradition of Sadako you have given honour to her and other that have folded cranes for peace in our world, some of you might remember the bombing of Hiroshima may the world never experience that horror again,” said Hemeryck.
