Celebrate Asian Heritage Month – May 2011
In partnership with government institutions, cultural groups, community groups, embassies and local and national organizations, the Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society (OAHMS) proudly presents a dynamic month-long celebration of Asian history and culture.
Asian Heritage Month (AHM) will begin with the Official Launch on May 5 in the Government Conference Centre, 2 Rideau St. Throughout the month the public is invited to enjoy fine music and dance performances, thought provoking and entertaining films, art and photo exhibitions, informative presentations, family celebrations, delectable cooking demonstrations, a hockey tournament and more. Best of all, most AHM activities are free!
The month-long celebration ends with the ever-popular, highly entertaining Gala Concert on June 3 in the Theatre of the Canadian Museum of Civilization. Numerous acts from across the pan-Asian spectrum will showcase a cultural fusion of the traditional and the contemporary, where East meets West. There will be sights to dazzle your eyes and sounds to delight your ears. The official list of events will be released in mid-April. Please visit www.asianheritagemonth.net to learn more about the OAHMS and Asian Heritage Month.
In 2002, the Government of Canada designated May as “Asian Heritage Month” to recognize the long, rich history of Asians and their contributions to Canada. AHM is supported by partners like Citizenship & Immigration Canada, Canadian Museum of Civilization, Canadian Museum of Nature, City of Ottawa, City of Gatineau, Library & Archives Canada and Ottawa Public Library, as well as numerous sponsors.
O Ottawa. When did you get so hip? Discovering Canada’s cool capital
Michael Kaminer, Special to The Washington Post
In fact, if anything now characterizes the city, I’d say it’s an unselfconscious cool. There’s a proudly indie aesthetic in its neighborhoods, but without the hipster posturing of Toronto. Unlike language-obsessed Montreal, the city has a relaxed attitude toward bilingualism — everything here comes in both official languages — that lends Ottawa an easy cosmopolitanism.
Oh, yes: Ottawa also boasts Canada’s Parliament, along with the National Gallery, the Royal Canadian Mint, the Canadian War Museum, Rideau Hall, the Canadian Museum of Nature, the Canadian Children’s Museum, the Canada Aviation and Space Museum and the Canadian Museum of Civilization. They’re all gleaming, serious attractions, with collections often lauded as some of the world’s best.
They used to be the reason for a visit to Ottawa, with restaurants and shopping an afterthought. These days, don’t be surprised if you find the opposite to be true.
Read the full article in the Washington Post: O Ottawa. When did you get so hip?
