THUNDER BAY -- Bells rang across the city as part of a call for world peace.
City of Thunder Bay officials and members of the public rang the bell in front of City Hall during the annual Peace Bell Ceremony Wednesday. It was held in conjunction with the ceremony in Thunder Bay’s sister city, Gifu City, Japan.
A Canadian Legion Colour Party officially opened the ceremony while members of the Lakehead Japanese Cultural Association took part with the Lakehead, Fort William and Port Arthur Rotary Clubs.
“As a sister city, we ring the peace bell every year to promote world peace and Mayor (Shigemitsu) Hosoe in Gifu City is going to be doing the same thing,” Mayor Keith Hobbs said.
A letter written by Mayor Hosoe was read as part of the ceremony.
The joint ceremonies commemorate the Gifu Air Raid that occurred July 9, 1945 during World War II which resulted in more than 800 casualties.
Every year on July 9 Gifu City rings peace bells at each temple in the city, along with its six sister cities in order to promote world peace.
The bell ringing is also meant to honour the veterans of the war in Afghanistan.
Thunder Bay has had a formal sister city relationship with Gifu City for eight years.
“It’s a great day for Thunder Bay and a great day for Gifu City,” Hobbs said.
