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Iranian-Canadians and supporters mourn at Vancouver Art Gallery plaza – Vancouver Sun

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“Little did we know that our world would be turned upside down.”


Members of the Iranian community gather for a vigil at the Vancouver Art Gallery on Sunday.


NICK PROCAYLO / PNG

Several hundred Iranian-Canadians and their supporters mourned the 176 people killed on-board Flight PS 752 on Sunday afternoon.

As rain and snow fell, which was followed by sun, people gathered in the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Speakers from different communities came together to remember loved ones, friends and community members who died when the Ukraine International Airlines flight was shot down in error by a missile Wednesday morning as it left Tehran destined for Kyiv, the first leg of a popular return flight for many Iranian-Canadians to Canada.

The dead included 57 Iranian-Canadians, 14 of whom were from B.C.

Organizer Nazanin Moghadami recalled how different things were less than two weeks ago when people gathered with friends and family preparing for the countdown to the new year.

“Little did we know that our world would be turned upside down,” she told the crowd.


Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was among the speakers Sunday afternoon as several hundred Iranian-Canadians and their supporters gathered in the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery to mourn the 176 people killed on board Ukraine International Airline Flight PS 752.

Kevin Griffin /

PNG

As she prepared for Sunday’s gathering, she recalled sitting in a friend’s guest room as everyone looked up recipes for halvah and how to prepare dates, traditional foods served at Iranian mourning ceremonies.

She said her friends tried to make sense of what happened by reading and citing numerous news stories, Tweets, books, studies and more.

“I close the door so I can prepare what I am going to talk about today and tears are just running down my face — a feeling that’s not unfamiliar for a lot of you today,” she said.

The past 10 days, she said, have been full of worry, stress, unease and restlessness. For many Iranian-Canadians it has been a period that has made them fearful and scared that Iran may experience yet another war.

“This horrendous act of terror led to a lot of sleepless nights for a lot of us and an obsessive refreshing of Twitter and news outlets and pages to just find out what is going on,” Moghadami said.


Members of the Iranian community gather to create a space for the community to come together on Sunday

NICK PROCAYLO /

PNG

She recounted a story of a friend who called in sick to work because she couldn’t bear the idea of hearing more news. She also told of a friend’s brother who had a panic attack as he scrambled to find a flight for his mother to bring her back to Canada from Iran after the assassination of Iranian Major-Gen. Qasem Soleimani.

“This is our reality,” Moghadami said.

Natalie Jatskevich, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress B.C. Branch, said she was at the event to support the Iranian-Canadian community. The nine crew members killed aboard Flight PS 752 were Ukrainian.

“It’s a tragedy we just could not stay away and wanted to support people who lost loved ones,” she said earlier. “Most of all I hope that this event … will give a chance to share their pain, their grieving and find some comfort from each other and support.”

Other speakers included Khelsilem Tl’akwasikan, a Squamish Nation councillor, who welcomed everyone in Squamish to the traditional territories of the Squamish, Musqueam and Tsleil-Waututh; Harjit Sajjan, federal defence minister; and Adrian Dix, provincial minister of health.


Harjit Sajjan, federal minister of defence, joined with several hundred Iranian-Canadians and their supporters who gathered Sunday afternoon in the north plaza of the Vancouver Art Gallery to mourn the 176 people killed on-board Ukraine International Airline Flight PS 752. Photo: Kevin Griffin

PNG

kevingriffin@postmedia.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone – BBC.com

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Ukrainian sells art in Essex while stuck in a warzone  BBC.com

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Somerset House Fire: Courtauld Gallery Reopens, Rest of Landmark Closed

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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”

On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”

The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.

Blaze in the West Wing

The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.

About Somerset House

Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.

Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.

Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.

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Sudbury art, music festival celebrating milestone

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Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.

The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.

Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”

With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.

The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.

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