HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2013-11-07, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2013. PAGE 17.
The Blyth Festival aims to
remember the community’s
veterans, not just through its home
and the community’s living
cenotaph, Memorial Hall, but
through the newly-created Blyth
Festival Memorial Series.
With last week’s announcement of
the 2014 Blyth Festival season also
came the news of the series, which is
the brainchild of Blyth Festival
Artistic Director Marion de Vries.
The series, de Vries said in an
interview with The Citizen, will run
along the five-year span of the
ongoing 14/19 campaign, which
includes renovations to Memorial
Hall and the repurposing of the
former Blyth Public School
building. The intention, de Vries
says, is that one play per season,
during that span, will deal with war,
the lives of soldiers or the lives of
their families.
History was never of great interest
to de Vries she says, but through theworld of theatre, she had a newappreciation for what came before
her and the stories that were being
told.
“I found history very boring in
high school,” de Vries said.
“Researching for plays though,
through theatre, history came alive
for me.”
Playing an integral role in that
history was the Blyth Festival, de
Vries said. The village’s connection
to its history and its veterans
inspired de Vries and she knew she
wanted to do something special to
coincide with the 14/19 campaign.
As an important part of the
campaign, de Vries said she went
back and researched the history of
Memorial Hall and found it
heartwarming that the hall was first
built as a cenotaph instead of a
traditional statue, as a place where
the community could congregate
and share good times.
“I loved that it was made as a
place where people in the
community could gather, enjoy live
performances and celebrate special
events and Remembrance Day,” de
Vries said. “It was a place to gather
and to share experiences, to have
good times together and that’s really
what it’s all about.”
When she read that “beautiful
purpose” of the hall, de Vries knew
that she wanted to bring that original
intention back to the hall with the
series.
As part of the campaign, de Vries,
who began her time with the Festival
in August, was asked to work on a
strategic plan for the Festival and for
the next five years, she knew she
wanted to shine a light on the lives
of those who fought for this
country’s freedom.
As de Vries began to consider the
concept of a Memorial Series with
the Festival, she considered the
effect war had on her life.
With her parents and grandparents
originally from The Netherlands, de
Festival to introduce Memorial Series next year
Not another brick in the wall
Blyth Legion Branch 420 President Andy Lubbers has been
planning Cenotaph Day, a new event to recognize the
cenotaphs and the soldiers for whom they stand, for next
year. Lubbers is seen here beside Blyth’s living cenotaph,
Memorial Hall, and the gray cornerstone is the original one
placed when the building’s construction begin on July 28,
1920. (Denny Scott photo)
A series to remember
Blyth Festival Artistic Director Marion de Vries had an idea
for the Blyth Festival Memorial Series earlier this year when
she reflected on how her own life had been impacted by
war. She now hopes to honour soldiers, veterans and their
families with one play each year for the next five seasons.
(Photo submitted)
COMMEMORATE THE NEWEST
FAMILY MEMBER'S 1ST NEW YEAR
Join the gallery of faces in The Citizen's
baby photo display January 9, 2014
Send or bring a picture of your little one born in
2013 along with a writeup which includes full name,
birth date and parents' names, to be featured in The
Citizen's Gallery of Faces on January 9, 2014, for
only $20.00 (HST included).
Please send picture (with name on back), along
with a cheque, to The Citizen prior to January 3.
Photos may be picked up after January 9.
THIS MUST BE PRE-PAID.
- Sample -
Please Complete
Baby's Full Name______________________
Son ❑Daughter ❑
Birth Date_____________________________
Parents' Names________________________
$20.00 Enclosed
DEADLINE - January 3
2 pm in Brussels • 4 pm in Blyth
❑
Alex John Smith
May 18
son of
Mike & Laura
Smith
B a b i e s o f t h e
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The Citizen
Continued on page 22