Two hibakusha, or survivors of the atomic bombings of Japan in August of 1945, will speak with students about their experiences before, during, and after World War II in programs sponsored by Youth Arts New York, May 19 through May 24 in high schools throughout the city. Toshiko Tanaka was six years old living in Hiroshima in 1945 and suffered severe burns when she was blasted by the atomic bomb. She will be at Jamaica H.S. on May 19 to meet with students.
 Then on May 20, Tanaka will lead a program at the High School of Construction Trades Engineering and Architecture in Ozone Park. Here the students will use Tanaka’s experience to create a physical memorial to commemorate her visit and experiences.  In most high schools following the hibakusha’s visit, the students will work with an artist to reinforce the experience, including playwrights, visual artists, photographers, and writers.
 Hibakusa Stories is a project of Youth Arts New York and this is the second year of a seven-year initiative which will culminate in the Review Conference of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty at the United Nations in May of 2015
 For more information about Hibakusha Stories, visit www.hibakushastories.org.