“Hiroshima 45 – Sarajevo 93

Every year, Hiroshima Day is marked on August 6 to promote “peace politics”. In 1993, the MESS Festival and Radio Zid used this occasion to attract international attention to besieged Sarajevo, organising various activities under the title “Hiroshima 45 – Sarajevo 93”. On this occasion, the organizers asked groups and individuals from all over the world to send messages of support to Sarajevo and protest against international indifference. Messages were sent by various groups and individuals, for example by the mayor of Hiroshima, the Interreligious Church Council/IKV from the Netherlands, Vaclav Havel, the Belgrade Circle, the Soros Foundation in New York, and Stephen Hawking. The message from Stephen Hawking is barely readable because of the fax paper. Its text reads: “The attack on Sarajevo is an atrocity that should not be allowed in what claims to be a civilized world. I am very disappointed in the reactions of Western governments. It is almost as bad as Munich. I send my best wishes and support to the people of Sarajevo”.