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08-17-2007, 07:48 AM
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#2762 (permalink) | |
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Junkie
Location: Toronto
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Quote:
I've not been there, but I would like to go there some day. IMHO, it is the most humbling memorial in the entire world and yes, the sculptor has the ability to bring tears to my eyes. |
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08-17-2007, 07:56 AM
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#2763 (permalink) |
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Junkie
Location: The Danforth
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The only memorial that can evoke that kind of sentiment has to be the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge. this however, is in France. Did we earn rights of conquest when we took it back from the Germans (albeit with help from the Brits & Yanks!)?
*** edit: Ah you are a wily one JTK.... This site is in fact a part of Canada! I didn't know that: (from http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/s...TOKEN=49819640) The land for the battlefield park, 91.18 hectares (250 acres) in extent, was (as stated on a plaque at the entrance to the Memorial) "the free gift in perpetuity of the French nation to the people of Canada". Eleven thousand tonnes of concrete and masonry were required for the base of the Memorial and 5,500 tonnes of "trau" stone were brought from Yugoslavia for the pylons and the sculptured figures. Construction of the massive work began in 1925 and 11 years later, on July 26, 1936, King Edward VIII unveiled the monument Last edited by Leto; 08-17-2007 at 07:58 AM.. |
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08-17-2007, 08:32 AM
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#2764 (permalink) |
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Junkie
Location: Toronto
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Yes, it is the Vimy Memorial and yes, the land it sits on is a part of Canada so, it was a bit of a trick, however, it is "in Canada"
I've been doing some reading about the memorial. The sculptor was Walter Allward of Toronto and his work is breathtaking in its portrayal of the human form. There are some amazing photos here: http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/s...TOKEN=70990464 The statue in my post is called "Mother of Canada" or sometimes just "Canada" I sometimes just think of her as "Mother" since of all the people in our lives as humans, the one to which we feel the tightest bond is our mothers. She's kind of forelorn, standing by herself. Not the highest statues (those are Peace and Justice), not the largest, but for some reason, she is the focal point. In the pictures I have seen of the memorial, time after time, I am drawn to her. She represents not only Canada, but the mothers of the soldiers who died at Vimy (to me at least). She is young as was Canada, not even 50 years old as a country at the time of WW1. Her eyes are cast down upon the tomb of the soldier below her as if mourning her own son. She watches over the tomb of the unknown soldier so that he will never be alone. This is a link to a video taken at the rededication a few months ago of a lone fiddle player standing next to the Mother of Canada. It reduces me to tears every time. Even Queen E was moved when she was at the rededication. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYLv5wasaHc Here is a picture of the Mother of Canada standing watch over the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. You can see that she is looking down on the grave of her son, or of all her sons.  Last edited by james t kirk; 08-17-2007 at 08:40 AM.. |
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08-17-2007, 12:15 PM
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#2765 (permalink) |
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Junkie
Location: The Danforth
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I did some reading on this memorial earlier this summer, as I believe it was just refurbished and re-dedicated. Apparantly, it was even protected by Hitler during WWII, because he got wind of the intention of his troops to either vandalize or destroy it. He actually thought that it was one of the best memorials ever created because it commemorated peace over war.
next up:  Last edited by Leto; 08-17-2007 at 12:17 PM.. |
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08-17-2007, 02:14 PM
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#2767 (permalink) |
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Addict
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Okay, so are we saying that Tiberius has opened up the game to "Where am I on Canadian soil?" because in that case we can site embassies and other places that are considered "Canadian" but not necessarily here.
Secondly, of course Hitler didn't want to destroy the monument---before he became a dictator, he was a sensitive artist. Dah.
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Thats the last time I trust the strangest people I ever met....H. Simpson Last edited by hagatha; 08-17-2007 at 02:20 PM.. Reason: Automerged Doublepost |
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08-22-2007, 05:38 AM
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#2783 (permalink) |
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Leto, you are the man.
I guess my non hint hin was enough. The other pic I was considering posting was this one:  It is hard to find a pic of Lke Louise that is not obviously Lake Louise. For those non Canadians who now view this thread, here is a a standard pic of Lake Lousie:  I have to get there someday. Your turn Leto
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Sticky The Stickman |
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08-22-2007, 08:18 AM
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#2784 (permalink) | |
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Junkie
Location: The Danforth
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Yes! that certainly was an ass-worthy try.
By the way, this picture is stunning. You should frame it. I think that I may. Quote:
Okay, here's one that I've wanted to post for a while, and I bet it's a gimme for some of you:  Last edited by Leto; 08-22-2007 at 08:23 AM.. |
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08-24-2007, 08:14 AM
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#2786 (permalink) |
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it's jam
Location: Lowerainland BC
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Well lookie here, I get back from holidays and see old Gassy Jack in Gastown.
That's my guess - It's Gassy Jack in Gastown (in Vancouver of course). Oh, Lake Louise is more like Lake Lousy. They don't like young people there, but that's along time ago and for a different tread. It's nice to visit, but had a high snob factor at the time. 
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nice line eh? |
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08-24-2007, 08:54 AM
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#2787 (permalink) | |
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Quote:
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Sticky The Stickman |
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08-26-2007, 05:25 PM
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#2794 (permalink) |
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Détente
Location: AWOL in Edmonton
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Nope, this is down in BC.
Although it looks like get to make a Nahanni and Kluane tour this fall (if I get convinced to join the DEW line remediation team, a bunch of northern travel required). And thanks. I've been so busy that I've been going for days without turning on my home computer. I logged on a few weeks ago and could find the Canada forum. |
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