CRANES FOR PEACE: BUILDING A FUTURE OF HOPE
In 2016, former President Barack Obama became the first sitting U.S. President to visit Hiroshima. During this historic visit in May of that year, he met with local students and offered hand-folded paper cranes as a symbol of peace, remembrance, and a future free of nuclear conflict.
Inspired by this gesture, the Osaka Committee of Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI) in partnership with the Japanese Culture Center (JCC), is mobilizing communities across Chicago to create a large-scale collaborative art installation. Our goal is to collectively fold 10,000 origami cranes to be displayed at a Chicago cultural institution in 2027.
Roots of the Initiative: A Shared History
A Formal Partnership for Peace
This project is built upon a deep historical connection between the city of Chicago and the global peace movement. Following President Obama’s historic visit, the Japanese Culture Center hosted the Fall 2016 Hiroshima-Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Exhibition.
Official Sponsorship: The 2016 exhibition was formally sponsored by the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
Direct Collaboration: The exhibit featured historical artifacts and objects on loan directly from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum.
A Historic Display: The exhibition was the first to bring one of President Obama’s hand-folded cranes to Chicago, displaying it alongside paper cranes folded nearly 60 years ago by Sadako Sasaki.
Global Leadership: The opening ceremony was attended by Mr. Kenji Shiga, the Director of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, emphasizing the international importance of this Chicago-based effort.
Community Heritage: By uniting these artifacts under one roof, the JCC established a legacy of peace-building through Japanese cultural arts that continues today.
The Chicago Context
Chicago holds a unique position in this global narrative. While the University of Chicago in Hyde Park played a pivotal role in the development of nuclear technology, this project provides a space for local reflection, ethical dialogue, and reconciliation.
OUR OBJECTIVE
We are bringing together schools, community organizations, and institutions to promote peace, community solidarity, and cross-cultural connection through the Japanese tradition of senbazuru (1,000 cranes).
WHY JOIN US?
Cranes for Peace is an accessible, creative, and meaningful project that mobilizes Chicago’s residents toward a shared vision of peace. The final installation will showcase cranes from every participating group and include signage acknowledging our partners. By participating, you help create a visual symbol of community unity and the ongoing pursuit of peace.
PROJECT TIMELINE
- 2025–2026: Outreach, partnership building, and crane-making activities.
- Early 2027: Collection, sorting, and installation design.
- Late 2027: Public display at a Chicago cultural institution.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
This project is intentionally low-cost and accessible to everyone. Participating groups are only responsible for the cost of origami paper (approximately $8–$20 per pack). We will do our best to accommodate individuals and groups who would like to participate. There will also be community events hosted throughout the year where individuals and institutions can participate in making paper cranes at no cost.
Who can participate?
- Chicago-area public and private schools.
- Community-based organizations and nonprofits.
- Faith institutions and universities.
- Arts and cultural institutions.
Where to get paper
You can use almost any kind of paper to fold your cranes, what matters most is the intention behind them.
Easy options include:
- Origami paper (available at craft stores or online)
- Colored printer paper or construction paper
- Recycled paper (magazines, old flyers, or scrap paper)
If you’re looking for traditional materials, many online retailers and local art stores carry square origami paper in a variety of colors and patterns.
Tips:
- Square paper works best (typically 6” x 6”)
- Lighter paper is easier to fold
- Reusing materials is encouraged
No matter what paper you use, each crane represents a wish for peace.
Crane-folding Tutorial
The Commitment: Each group is invited to commit to a specific goal, such as folding 100, 250, or 500 cranes
