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Victoria Inner Harbour Times + Tickets available at www.BCYBA.com
Theatre group sets stage for serious education Page A8
NEWS: Drivers, pedestrians need to coexist /A3 WONDER WOMEN: They’re making a difference /INSIDE SPORTS: Young volleyballers capture B.C. title /A15
GOLDSTREAM
NEWS GAZETTE
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
First World War centenary raises commemoration questions Kyle Wells News staff
Kyle Wells/News staff
Geoffrey Bird, an associate professor at Royal Roads University, stands next to a war memorial near Hatley Castle. Those planning to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War should be mindful of sensitivities of minorities and other groups around wartime actions, he says. They’re all questions those who plan commemoration events need to ask, said Bird, a former guide at Vimy Ridge. “We often talk about remembrance and remembering, but we aren’t witnesses to it. So when we remember, in terms of war, it’s about learning, imagining and reflecting. “Part of the question with remembrance is to make
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Remembering war a complicated act Since the end of the First World War in 1918, debates have been waged on how best to commemorate the “war to end all wars.” With the 100th anniversary of the start of the war coming up July 28, communities and organizations in Canada and around the world are facing questions of how to mark the occasion. Today at Royal Roads University, a forum is helping local parties discuss and plan approaches and opportunities for commemorating the war throughout the centenary period of 2014 to 2018. “The idea is just to talk about some of theses controversies and how they should be handled,” said Geoffrey Bird, an associate professor in tourism and hospitality management at RRU and organizer of the event. There is much to consider behind every decision. How do you include voices from all the minorities and groups involved in the war? How do you address the complexity of the situation? How do you commemorate death and sacrifice without glorifying war?
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it relevant for the present generation, (such as) why should we remember?” Matthew Payne, acting site manager at Fort Rodd Hill, is attending the forum to help the national historic site develop its own approach to the centenary. The fort’s focus will be on education, he said, since most people today know very little
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about this long since past war. Staff plan to use social media to put out information on the fort’s role in the war and Victoria at the time. The campaign will centre on written correspondence between two brothers fighting overseas and their sister in Victoria. PlEASE SEE: War history, Page A22
Langford library step closer The Greater Victoria Public Library board will work with the City of Langford to create a 4,000-square-foot branch in the proposed YMCA-YWCA recreation centre. The board last week approved a plan to move forward with the project. The new Y is expected to open in early 2016 on Langford Parkway in the Westhills development. Library board chair Greg Bunyan said the move makes sense with the growing population of families on the West Shore. He added that the GVPL looks forward to exploring “new program and partnership possibilities” to serve the area. Langford Mayor Stew Young said the neighbourhood branch will be “put to good use by our residents and helps address the longterm needs of our growing community.” GVPL plans to keep the public informed as plans for the new branch are developed. Library patrons can visit gvpl.ca/langford for updates. editor@goldstream gazette.com
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