The Rotaract Club of Shanghai (RACS), a nonprofit social organization comprised of young professionals and graduate students living in Shanghai, and involved in cultural activities and volunteer projects around China, organized the 1,000 Paper Cranes for Peace event on August 1.

Participants at the 1,000 Paper Cranes for Peace event Photos: Courtesy of the Rotaract Club of Shanghai

The 1,000 Paper Cranes project was introduced by the Rotaract Club of Rossmoyne, Australia and was conceived after one of their Rotaractors travelled through Japan and took the opportunity to visit the Children's Peace Monument at the Peace Memorial Park, in Hiroshima.

An ancient Japanese legend promises that anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes will be granted a wish by the gods. Several temples, including some in Tokyo and Hiroshima, keep eternal flames for world peace. At these temples, school groups and private citizens often donate 1,000 paper cranes to add to the prayers for peace.

The 1,000 cranes became popular through the story of Sadako Sasaki, a Japanese girl exposed to radiation from the atomic bombing of Hiroshima during World War II. Sasaki developed leukaemia and, at the age of 12 began making paper cranes with the goal of making 1,000. Unfortunately, she folded only 644 before she became too ill to make more, and passed away. In her honor, her classmates decided to complete the task for her.

Thus this project was born and clubs and groups from all over the world are now joining in to promote peace and increase awareness of the peace-creating abilities of leaders, such as the Rotary Peace Fellows, through the folding of paper cranes, which symbolize both our desire for and commitment toward a more peaceful world.

Participants at the 1,000 Paper Cranes for Peace event

Last Monday night the Rotaract Club of Shanghai welcomed about 60 people from different countries, background and ages, all coming to participate in this event with the same goal: Peace!

With around 60 people, almost 30 pizzas, and lots of beer, making paper cranes proved fun, and the guests found themselves unwinding with a novel and relaxing arts and crafts session. Those who already knew how to fold and make paper cranes became teachers for the evening and the others proved keen and diligent students. They made more than 400 paper cranes in an hour and a half (does that count as 400 wishes?)

These paper cranes will be laid in front of the Children's Peace Monument in Hiroshima, Japan on the International Day of Peace (September 21).

Participants at the 1,000 Paper Cranes for Peace event

Paper cranes made by the participants

Global Times