FACE 1: Sadako Sasaki - Sadako Sasaki was a Japanese girl who lived in Hiroshima, in Japan. In August 1945, when she was two year's old, the atomic bomb was dropped about one mile away from her home. She and her family managed to escape. Sadako had a normal childhood and was a very good runner. But it was during a running race that she first fell ill, when she was 11 year's old. When she was 12, in 1955, her illness became worse and she was diagnosed with leukemia, a cancer which affected many children who had been exposed to radiation because of the atom bomb. A friend told her about an old Japanese legend which says that if you fold 1000 origami cranes, you will be granted a wish. She didn't always have origami paper, so she used whatever she could find - newspaper, medicine wrappings, and scraps of wrapping paper from get well gifts. She folded and folded. Some people say that she folded over 1000 cranes before she died, but others say she only managed to fold just over 600. We don't know what the truth is, but we do know that sadly Sadako didn't manage to fight off the terrible cancer. She never gave up and was courageous and cheerful to the end. In October 1955 she died, peacefully, in the hospital. The children in her class were very sad, and decided to try to raise money for a special memorial for Sadako and other children who had died because of the atomic bomb. They wrote and published a book about Sadako, and they sent letters to schools all over Japan. It took them 3 years to raise enough money to build the Children's Peace Monument, in Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima. It has a statue of Sadako on the top, as well as an origami crane. At the bottom of the statue there is a plaque which has a message from the children, which reads: "This is our cry. This is our prayer. Peace in the world."
Creativity Quote: “I will write peace on your wings and you will fly all over the world.” (Sadako) Hate is the utter lack of creativity --peace allows creativity to soar.
This animated film teaches how to make an origami paper crane like those Sadako made... Give it a try!
FACE 2 : J. K. Rowling - British writer Joanne Kathleen Rowling, born July 31, 1965, is the creator of the wildly successful Harry Potter book series. Rowling reported that she was on a train when she began to imagine the first book of the series. She later said, "Harry just strolled into my head fully formed." Rowling went on to write six more Harry Potter books. The Harry Potter books proved to be a worldwide publishing phenomenon; new editions were greeted by millions of fans, some of whom waited in costume for a midnight release. All the Harry Potter novels have been made into movies!
Creativity Quote: "It is our choices ...that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." (J. K. Rowling) Choose to be creative!
FACE 3 : Albert Einstein - Born in Germany in 1879, Albert Einstein was a scientist in the early 1900s. He came up with some of the most important discoveries and theories in all of science. Some people consider him to be one of the smartest people of the 20th century. Albert immigrated to the United States in 1933. He was fleeing from the Nazis in Germany who didn't like Jewish people. After his death, the doctor removed his brain, seemingly without the permission of his family, for preservation and future study by doctors of neuroscience. His remains were cremated and his ashes were scattered in an undisclosed location. After decades of study, Einstein's brain is now located at the Princeton University Medical Center.
Creativity Quote: "The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination." (Albert Einstein)
FACE 4 : Maathai Wangari - In 1971, Wangari Maathai received a Ph.D., effectively becoming the first woman in either East or Central Africa to earn a doctorate. She was elected to Kenya's National Assembly in 2002 and has written several books and scholarly articles. She won the Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to plant trees in several African countries, her work in bringing democracy to her land, and her efforts in women's rights in particular."
Creativity Quote: "We need to promote development that does not destroy our environment." (Maathai Wangari)
Creativity, like Maathai, also feels a burden for saving the creatures and the creation in which we live.
DAY 5 : Miyazaki Hayao --Hayao Miyazaki is one of Japan's greatest animation directors. The entertaining plots, compelling characters, and breathtaking animation in his films have earned him international renown from critics as well as public recognition. The Walt Disney Company's commitment to introduce his films to the rest of the world has allowed more people to appreciate the high-quality works Miyazaki has given the movie-going public.
Creativity Quote: “I like to make films that tell children "it's good to be alive".” (Miyazaki) Creativity makes each and every day an exciting adventure for the child in us all...
Watch short trailers of each of Miyazaki's ten best films! HERE
