John Katsilometes gives the nod to an atomic bomb exhibit, whose opening will be attended by a Japanese survivor

Thursday, Aug. 3, 2006 | 7:58 a.m.

Kazou Maruta is known as a "Hibakusha," a survivor of the atomic bomb attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki on Aug. 6 and Aug. 9 of 1945. Opportunities to meet such figures have become increasingly scarce over the years, but Las Vegans have a chance to hear Maruta's rare account of the attacks during his appearances over the next several days at the Atomic Testing Museum's Atomic Bomb Exhibition.

Maruta will be on hand from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday during the exhibit's opening ceremonies. Additional appearances are set for 2 to 3 p.m. Sunday and 2 to 3 p.m. Wednesday. Admission is free, but reservations are required (call 794-5123) . The museum is at 755 E. Flamingo Road, just east of Paradise Road and next to the Desert Research Institute.

The display runs from Saturday through Aug. 27 and features artifacts, survivors' letters and poems, informational panels and video presentations. Organizers could not specify which attack Maruta survived, but his appearance - possibly a once-in-a-lifetime chance for Las Vegans to meet a survivor of these attacks - is worth juggling the schedule for.

NoteMart

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