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Harrisburg holds ‘Candles on the Water’ event to promote end to use of nuclear weapons

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held in Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Becky Boone leads the way from Market Square Presbyterian Church to Riverfront Park. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Becky Boone performs the liturgical dance. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held in Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Becky Boone leads the way from Market Square Presbyterian Church to Riverfront Park. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

Candles on the Water, an evening of remembrance, commemorating the bombings of Nagasaki and Hiroshima was held at Market Square Presbyterian Church and Riverfront Park, Harrisburg, August 7, 2022. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive

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The annual “Candles on the Water” event, held to remember the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, took place Sunday evening at Market Square Presbyterian Church, 20 S. 2nd St., in Harrisburg.

It was followed by a silent procession to the Susquehanna Riverwalk where participants floated lanterns on the water in remembrance of past victims, and as a sign of determination to say “never again.”

The free event also included music, poetry and presentations.

The first Candles on the Water”event in Harrisburg was in the 1980s and was started by Milton Lowenthal and Debbie Davenport. Lowenthal also was instrumental in Harrisburg becoming a member city of Mayors for Peace.

On June 24, 1982, at the 2nd Special Session on Disarmament held at the United Nations, then Mayor Takeshi Araki of Hiroshima proposed a new program to promote the solidarity of cities toward the total abolishment of nuclear weapons. This proposal offered cities a way to transcend national borders and work together for the same peaceful goal.

Subsequently, the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki called on mayors around the world to support this program. The City of Harrisburg became a member city in February 1983 as one of the first two cities in the United States, along with Honolulu, to show solidarity.

As of July 1, 2016, membership stood at 7,095 cities in 161 countries and regions.

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