The Little Singers of Monaco in Nagasaki

Reflection at the National Peace Memorial. ©DR

At the initiative of H.E. Mr Patrick Medecin, Monaco’s Ambassador, the Little Singers of Monaco began their tour in Japan on 19 July, in Nagasaki’s Urakami Cathedral. The event, which is part of celebrations to mark 10 years of diplomatic relations between Monaco and Japan, comes on the thirtieth anniversary of the first visit of the Little Singers to the Land of the Rising Sun.

The Ambassador and the Little Singers were greeted by the Mayor of Nagasaki at a reception in their honour attended by numerous personalities.

During their visit, the Little Singers took part in workshops to help them gain an understanding of Japanese culture, and met pupils from Junshin Catholic School.

They then had an opportunity to visit the Atomic Bomb Museum and memorial sites. Two representatives of the children, the Ambassador and Pierre Debat, Director of the Little Singers, laid flowers at the National Peace Memorial Hall during a moment of reflection in memory of the victims of the bombing on 9 August 1945.

The concert given in the evening was warmly received by the 1,000 people who attended. To the great delight of the audience, the Little Singers and the Junshin Girls’ Choir performed a song together as a living symbol of the bonds of friendship formed.

The next stop on the Little Singers’ tour is Tokyo.

Welcome reception: on the left of the Little Singers, the President of Nagasaki Municipal Council, Masanao MAIGUMA, the Mayor, Tomihisa TAUE and his wife; to the right, Pierre DEBAT, Director of the Little Singers, H.E. Mr Patrick MEDECIN, Ambassador of Monaco to Japan and his wife. ©DR