Three Days in Support of World Peace - Paciano, August 2025

From August 5 to 7, 2025, the village of Paciano hosted the well attended event "Tre giorni in sostegno della Pace nel mondo"(Three Days in Support of World Peace), organized by the Centro Terzo Millennio to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Three intense days filled with meetings, art, testimonies, and music, reflecting on the value of peace and the importance of memory.

Meetings and Testimonies of Peace

Over the course of the event, participants attended inspirational talks and testimonies from guests who shared their firsthand experiences from conflict zones and reflections on the importance of humanitarian cooperation.
Speakers emphasized the urgency of recognizing the humanity even in our “enemies”, and the need for empathy, dialogue, and collaboration across all borders.

Among them:
Paola Butali, from Rondine Cittadella della Pace (AR), a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2015;
Francesco Serafini and Oriano Spadoni, promoters of the “The Garden of Peace” project in Paciano;
Moreno Caporalini from FELCOS Umbria;
Dr. Massimiliano Marchetti, surgeon;
Nicolò Tomassoni from INTERSOS.

Between them their words, drawn from their work for peaceful coexistence, and experiences in war zones and humanitarian crises, offered an authentic perspective on the need to build bridges of peace and solidarity.

“What Peace Means to Me” - The art of the next generation

A special highlight was the exhibition “What Peace Means to Me”, featuring drawings, writings, and messages from students at Paciano Middle School.
The exhibition gave voice to the sensitivity of young people, expressing through images and words their vision of coexistence and respect.

A Symbol of Collective Commitment

The event also featured the unveiling of the banner “R 1 P U D 1 A - This City Rejects War”, created in collaboration with EMERGENCY, reaffirming the community’s rejection of all forms of violence and its commitment to actively promoting a culture of peace.

The Legacy of Memory

The session “L’Eredità della Memoria” (The Legacy of Memory) drew strong participation, as Paciano residents and survivors of World War II shared their personal stories and recollections.
This touching moment allowed the new generations to understand the value of firsthand testimony, ensuring that memory endures and the horrors of war are never repeated.

One of the most appreciated activities was the origami workshop led by Keiko Shibamoto, where adults and children created peace cranes for the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima. A simple yet powerful symbol of hope, solidarity, and unity among peoples.

Screening of “The Salt of the Earth”

The program also included a screening of “The Salt of the Earth” by Wim Wenders, dedicated to the photographer Sebastião Salgado, offering an opportunity to reflect on humanity’s impact on the planet and the importance of preserving life and dignity.

Evening for Peace

Among the highlights of the event was the “Evening for Peace”, combining poetry and music.
The group Il Futuro e la Memoria presented a poetic reading, “In Support of World Peace”, followed by a concert by Selene Capitanucci and Simone Matteucci, providing the audience with a moment of deep emotion and shared reflection.

The initiative was a great success, not only in terms of attendance but in the message it shared: peace is not a utopia, but a journey to be walked together.
Once again, Paciano proved itself a place of encounter, memory, and hope, showing that even small communities can convey a universal message of peace.

A sincere thanks to all the organizers, participants, and associations who helped make these three days unforgettable.