Museum observes Lennon's 25th death anniversary

SAITAMA (Japan): John Lennon Museum in the city of Saitama is to hold a special event Thursday to commemorate the quarter-century anniversary of the death of the ex-Beatle, with amateur bands performing his music in front of 100 candles set up in a replica of the "Imagine" mosaic in New York's Central Park.
The day marks the highlight of the weeklong 'John Lennon Memorial Days 25' event that opened Saturday at the museum, which also has the artist's handwritten lyrics of his peace anthem, "Happy Christmas (War is Over)" on display.
"Through this event, we expect people to recognize the message of 'Love & Peace' again," an official at the museum said. "John Lennon was calling for a world without violence but he was killed brutally...We want people today to remember his will, especially in the wake of numerous wars."
John Lennon was shot dead in front of his condominium in New York on December 8, 1980, at the age of 40, leaving behind his wife, Yoko Ono, and two sons.
The museum was founded on October 9, 2000, the 60th anniversary of Lennon's birthday, with permission of Ono to preserve and exhibit some 130 pieces of memorabilia, including musical instruments, costumes and drafts of lyrics.