The Celebration of International Peace Month held by the Courtyard of the Happy Way and Weihsien Concentration Camp Museum of Weifang
On February 3, 2021, the executive director of International Cities of Peace J. Frederick Arment announced the new list of International Cities of Peace to the world, and Weifang became the second International City of Peace in China after Nanjing. As soon as the news had been released, the citizens of the whole city were excited to spread the news to each other. Weifang, a city pursues peace, got world-renowned again, and her dream of joining the Cities of Peace finally came true. It was the first time that Weifang applied for it and became an important event in the history of Weifang. The site of the Courtyard of the Happy Way and Weihsien Concentration Camp Museum was the former site the largest concentration camp for foreign residents in Asia during World War II, which makes the people of Weifang better understand and value the preciousness of peace.
The ark of peace has sailed to all parts of the world, spreading the sunshine of peace and happiness, and people from all over the world feel warmth with that. Only in a peaceful world can people have prosperous and contented life, and less wars can make the world more beautiful. In order to celebrate this great day, during the International Peace Month, the Courtyard of the Happy Way and Weihsien Concentration Camp Museum did the following three activities.
1. In the morning of August 17, the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Weihsien Concentration Camp was held in the Courtyard of the Happy Way and Weihsien Concentration Camp Museum, in order to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the liberation of the Weihsien Concentration Camp, show the image of Weifang as an International City of Peace, and promote the spread of the concept of building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind. Nearly a hundred people, including the representatives of medical staff from Weifang People’s Hospital, and the representatives of volunteers and all employees of the Courtyard of the Happy Way and Weihsien Concentration Camp Museum attended the ceremony. (The following link is the details of the ceremony)
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/qTd8h2qo4JprI3B8gMS2ww
2. The article “Remembering History and Cherishing Peace – Commemorating the 76th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War” was published. As a model of internationalism cooperation during the World War II, the Weihsien Courtyard of the Happy Way is an important testimony to the history of Japan’s invasion of China and the atrocities of Japanese militarism. Its also a symbol of international expatriates and Chinese people just struggle against Japanese fascism unitedly, and a symbol of the spirit of Internationalism. Like the sites of fascist concentration camps all over the world, the Courtyard of the Happy Way keeps the painful memory in human history. (The article can be found in following links)
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/F8odq8_-B6zspDo3h5ytCA
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Un0iOirj6jqMWzSPknClqg
3. “Belongs to every Weifang people’s special Festival – International Peace Day” was published. Peace is a strategy, and China is one of the most important forces for maintaining world peace. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, China is deeply aware of the preciousness of peace and the value of development, and regards the promotion of world peace and development as its sacred duty. China has made great contributions to world peace and stability. Weifang is a famous historical and cultural city. At the same time, Weifang is a peace-loving city, and the people of Weifang who have been traumatized by war understand the profound meaning of peace and its preciousness. (The following is the article)
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/Wa8n6miauMMvDwKCEUSaVg
In addition, Weifang has established the Weihsien Concentration Camp Research Association and the project upgrade consultant group of the Weihsien Concentration Camp Research Association of Weifang. The former site of the Courtyard of the Happy Way and Weihsien Concentration Camp Museum is an important window for international and cultural exchanges in Weifang. It is also an important site for patriotism and revolutionary history education, a symbol of international expatriates and Chinese people’s just struggle against Japanese fascism unitedly, and a symbol of Internationalism spirit. The establishment of the Weihsien Concentration Camp Research Association is an important measure in response to Weifang’s efforts to build a modern and high-quality International City of Peace. It is also necessary to excavate the historical resources of the Courtyard of the Happy Way and Weihsien Concentration Camp.
The research association aims to study the early history of the Courtyard of the Happy Way, the cultural exchanges between China and the West, and the early revolutionary activities of the Communist Party of China in the Courtyard of the Happy Way. It will focus on in-depth excavation and research of the historical facts about the establishment and management of the Weihsien concentration camp by Japanese fascists, the resistance of western expatriates, and the support of Chinese people. The association deepens the concept of “Remembering history, cherishing peace, and building a Community of Shared Future for Mankind” to people. (The following link is about the establishment of the research association)
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/70_THWt2GuxOK1rU9bYNDg
On the International Day of Peace, the peace doves were flying around the world and extending the messages of harmony by the olive branches; raise the flag of freedom and wish the world safe and prosperous. May the world be harmonious and peaceful forever!
