A Bloom of Friendship: The Story of the Canadian Tulip Festival
A BLOOM OF FRIENDSHIP:
THE STORY OF THE CANADIAN TULIP FESTIVAL
ANNE RENAUD
ILLUSTRATIONS: ASHLEY SPIRES
MONTRÉAL: LOBSTER PRESS,
2004. 24 P.
(MY CANADA)
ISBN 189422289X
AGES 6 TO 10
A Bloom of Friendship: The Story of the Canadian Tulip Festival
Ottawa, Canada’s national capital, has hosted the Tulip Festival since 1953. The festival stems from the gift in 1945 of thousands of tulips bulbs from the Queen of Holland to Canada. This giving of bulbs became a yearly thank you to our country for hosting Dutch Princess Juliana and her two daughters during the Second World War. A Bloom of Friendship: The Story of the Canadian Tulip Festival gives a general overview of the war, of the invasion of the Netherlands and of the life of the Dutch Royal family in Canada, including the birth of Princess Margriet in an Ottawa hospital. While the Royal family was safe in Canada, Dutch people in Holland suffered from hunger and cold at the hands of the Nazis, who took away most of the food. When Canadian troops liberated their country in the spring of 1945, they found a starving population. Many Canadian soldiers helped Dutch citizens to rebuild their houses and their country.
This non-fiction book is illustrated with colourful collages created by Ashley Spires. The textured, handmade paper makes for lively interior scenes and brings out the vivid colours of the Ottawa blooms in springtime. Maps, photographs and archival documents such as Dutch food coupons, Star of David badges, newspaper clippings and vintage postcards add historical interest to the book.
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Ottawa Chamber Music Festival Schedule
When and where: Saturday to Aug. 8, at several downtown churches and some outdoor venues.
Festival passes: $175 general; $130 Students.
Three-day passes: (For any three days of the festival) $89 general; $70 students
Family passes: (Two adults with two children aged 12 and under) $310 for full festival; $165 for three days.
Passes grant entry to all concerts except the opening and closing “Premium” concerts, which are fund-raising performances for the Ottawa Chamber Music Society. The opening concert Saturday features pianist Jon Kimura Parker with violinist James Ehnes. The closing concert includes soprano Donna Brown, the St. Lawrence Quartet, the Ying Quartet and eight cellists. For those concerts, passholders need an additional ticket ($30 general; $15 for students).
Young People’s Concerts: Children 12 and under accompanied by an adult are admitted free to the three young people’s concerts.
Single tickets: If you do not have a festival pass, single tickets to most concerts are $25 general; $15 for students. Single tickets to the opening and closing concerts are $40 and $20. Tickets to 10:30 p.m. concerts are $20 and $10.
Where to get passes, tickets and information: Passes and tickets will be sold at the venues and can be purchased through http://www.chamberfest.com or 613-234-6306, where more detailed festival information is also available.
Full Story on the Ottawa Citizen website: Ottawa Chamber Music Festival Schedule
Government of Canada Supports Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival
OTTAWA, ONTARIO — 07/22/09 — On behalf of the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry, Royal Galipeau, Member of Parliament for Ottawa-Orleans, today announced the Government of Canada’s investment of more than $210 000 to support the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival (Chamberfest ‘09).”Today’s announcement is exciting news to all involved in Chamberfest ‘09,” said Mr. Galipeau. “The funding from the Marquee Tourism Events Program highlights our government’s recognition of the real impact the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival has on the local economy.”
“The federal government is showing great support for the Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival by providing this funding through its Marquee Tourism Events Program,” said Ottawa Chamber Music Society Executive Director Glenn Hodgins. “Now in its 16th year, Chamberfest has consistently presented impressive lineups of world-class musicians that have attracted tourists from around the globe. This funding will help to make this year’s festival even more memorable for both residents and visitors to Ottawa.”
Chamberfest ‘09 presents audiences with chamber music concerts, exhibitions and educational forums on chamber music. The Marquee Tourism Events Program funding will make it possible to increase marketing and promotional efforts aimed at attracting audiences from out-of-province and out-of-country, specifically targeting major cities in the U.S., England and other European centres. Chamberfest ‘09 will also be introducing new programming at the recently renovated Saint Brigid’s performance space near the ByWard Market.
Full Story on the Earth Times website: Government of Canada Supports Ottawa International Chamber Music Festival
Ottawa prepares for Winterlude festival
travelbite.co.uk
This winter the Canadian capital of Ottawa will be magically transformed into a winter wonderland as part of the annual Winterlude celebration, North America’s largest winter festival.
However, it is the UNESCO World Heritage listed Rideau Canal, in the heart of Ottawa, is the real highlight of Winterlude, freezing over to become the Rideau Canal Skateway.
For visitors, ice skates are available to rent so they can skate along the canal, being sure to stop at one of the many stands for a hot chocolate and a beavertail – a uniquely Canadian special pastry that originated in Ottawa, shaped like a beaver’s tail and topped with your choice of cinnamon and sugar, chocolate, maple syrup or many other tasty options.
Read more at Ottawa prepares for Winterlude festival
