This past long weekend was a celebration of the Chinese New Year – the Year of the Horse. In recognition of this, a weekend-long event was held at Nathan Philips Square, entitled Toronto Spring Festival Celebration: The Lunar New Year.
This Lunar Festival is a fairly new effort; this was only its second annual. The premiere of this event last year was an enormous success, with over 50,000 people attending.
This weekend there was a Market selling interesting Asian items, plenty of Asian food, and a Main Stage which hosted variety shows and cultural performances. There were also several heated tents where attendees could escape the cold to watch various performances.
Light and fireworks played a large part in the event. In Chinese culture, fireworks are far more than festive lights – they are a profound symbol of courage and hope. Rooted in over 2,000 years of tradition driving away the legendary beast Nian, these lights now shine over Toronto, bridging the past and the future.1
Much of the Festival this year took place on Nathan Phillip Square’s huge ice rink. There was figure skating, showcasing some very talented skaters. The Dragon and Lion Dances also took place on the ice, in addition to a slightly bizarre fashion show.
VIP tickets were available for purchase – this admitted the visitor to reserved seating in the heated tents to experience the robot shows and several other cultural events. The aforementioned robots were brought in from Asia for this event. Apparently one of their main tasks was to dance with performers onstage just before the closing fireworks on Sunday night – I’m not sure how all of that turned out as I didn’t stay long enough to catch the closing event.
Figure Skating
Dragon Dancing
And one of the more oddly-presented fashion shows I’ve ever seen:
Couture on Ice Grand Fashion Show: designer Adam X Atelier presenting
It was a good time, generating positivity and cultural pride; I hope the event continues in the years to come.
Set in Nathan Phillips Square, Cavalcade of Lights is an annual free event that transforms City Hall and and the Square into a dazzling wonderland.
This year there is lots of lights, art installations and, of course, free skating:
Art Installation: “Lux Array” An interactive light and sound installation by Luxonous Collective. Its assembly of rotating squares become photo frames, inviting you to enter and become part of the artwork yourself.Art Installation: “Luminescence” An immersive experience in an illuminated dome, east of the main stageArt Installation: “We Change Each Other” A thought-provoking light installation that explores themes of unity and the amalgamation of cultures by Shilpa Gupta, near the TORONTO sign.Art Installation: “Echo” An interactive installation that allows you to explore the hidden power of your unique voice
Nestled in the west section of Nathan Phillips Square near City Hall are two significant Toronto memorials: The Toronto Peace Garden and The Toronto Spirit Garden.
The Toronto Peace Garden
At the height of the Cold War, when fears of nuclear war were breaking out between the former Soviet Union and the west, the City of Toronto declared itself a nuclear weapon-free zone. To that end, the City created a Peace Garden which was dedicated by Pope John Paul II in Nathan Phillips Square in 1984. The Peace Garden measured 1800 square-feet, costing $540,000 to build in 1984.
The original Peace Garden location (under fountain arches), 1984 Photo: City of Toronto Archives
From 2010 to 2016, the Peace Garden was closed during renovations of Nathan Phillips Square. On August 7th, 2010 the Peace Garden was decommissioned and moved from its previous location near the doors of Toronto City Hall to its current location, the west side of Nathan Phillips Square.
The current 6,500 square-foot garden consists of a pavilion, a fountain, and surrounding plantings. The site’s gazebo is a stone-clad cube with arched openings on all sides, capped with a pitched roof. One corner of the structure’s corner is deconstructed to signify conflict and the fragility of civilization.
The fountain’s pool encroaches into the gazebo’s removed corner, with an eternal flame placed in the water so that it appears to support the pavilion structure, symbolizing hope and regeneration.
The Toronto Spirit Garden
As you walk along the Peace Garden, it seamlessly morphs into the Toronto Spirit Garden. The Spirit Garden is a 20,650 square-foot Indigenous cultural space that provides teaching, learning, sharing and healing experiences for the Indigenous community of Toronto, the City’s diverse citizens, newcomers and visitors.
The design of the Spirit Garden revolves around Turtle Island, and offers dedicated places for contemplation, celebration, and ceremonies – open, inclusive and welcoming to all.
The project responds in part to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Call to Action 82, for government to commission and install a Residential Schools Monument in each capital city to honour residential school survivors, and all the children lost to their families and communities.
Teaching Lodge
This unusual-looking building is the Teaching Lodge. The Teaching Lodge is a pre-formed laminated Ash wood structural frame enclosed with a white cedar tongue and groove exterior enclosure and sheathing. Operable skylights provide ventilation, and the space is secured with doors located at the east and west entrances to the lodge. The interior features built-in seating for approximately 60 people.
The Lodge reinforces the importance of family, represents life’s journey and serves as a spiritual home for all First Nations peoples.
Three Sisters
Artwork is etched onto Muntz metal panels depicting the symbiotic relationship that exists between corn, beans and squash, and the shared values associated with stewardship of the land and planning for the seventh generation. The story is a model for “how to be a woman in the world”. Women are teachers, life givers and support each other, they work with the ground (Earth).
Spirit Canoe
The Spirit Canoe is a 36-foot-long stainless-steel sculpture with laser-cut artwork and painted infill panels. The canoe is a tribute to the Métis Voyageur tradition, representing resilience, collaboration and the connection of the Métis people to land and waterways.
Turtle Sculpture
At the heart of the Spirit Garden stands a six-foot-tall limestone turtle sculpture, composed of 10 individual pieces and weighing approximately 10 tonnes. Positioned within a reflecting pool and aligned with Magnetic North, the turtle represents Turtle Island – Mother Earth – embodying First Nations creation stories.
The names of 18 residential schools that once operated in Ontario are displayed in stainless steel lettering on the pool’s north wall:
Inuksuk
The Inuksuk is a traditional stone landmark, standing five-feet-tall and stacked in the Spirit Garden on a raised plinth. It serves as a cultural marker and symbol of guidance for Inuit peoples, representing safety and reassurance on the land.
This post is based on an event from thirteen years ago, so I guess it qualifies for my so-called From The Vaults series.
A Bit Of Background
Everyone who has a pulse is familiar with the name Jack Layton (July 18, 1950 – August 22, 2011). Jack served as the leader of the NDP from 2003 to 2011 and was leader of the Official Opposition in 2011. Previous to that he sat on Toronto City Council, occasionally holding the title of Acting Mayor or Deputy Mayor of Toronto during his tenure as City Councillor. Jack was also the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Toronto-Danforth riding from 2004 until his death.
Jack rose to prominence in Toronto municipal politics, where he was one of the most prominent left-wing voices on the City and Metropolitan Toronto Councils, championing many progressive causes. In 1991, he ran for Mayor, losing to June Rowlands. Returning to Council, he rose to become head of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. In 2003, he was elected leader of the NDP.
Under Jack Layton’s leadership, support for the NDP increased in each election. The party’s popular vote almost doubled in the 2004 election, which gave the NDP the balance of power in Paul Martin’s minority government.
Jack died on August 22, 2011, after being diagnosed with cancer. He was survived by his wife of 23 years – our current Mayor – Olivia Chow.
Remembering Jack, Nathan Phillips Square
In the week before the funeral, Jack’s body was laid in state at Parliament Hill at the House of Commons foyer in Ottawa, then in repose at Toronto City Hall.
On August 26, 2011 a huge memorial for Jack was held in Nathan Phillips Square, outside Toronto City hall. It is from this memorial that my following pictures originate. It was a low-key but very powerful event; the love and respect for this man was clearly on display everywhere in the Square that evening:
Messages to Jack, Nathan Phillips Square
A miniature Jack in Nathan Phillips Square
A cluster of mourners pay their respect, Nathan Phillips Square
Flowers, candles and prayers
An outpouring of love and appreciation for Jack, Nathan Phillips Square
Our flag flies at half-mast in honour of Jack Layton
More messages
Leaving a message for Jack
There were plenty of supportive orange shirts that evening...
Keeping guard outside City Hall. Jack laid in Repose inside City Hall.
The queue outside City Hall for viewing Jack in Repose and paying respects
Seemingly out of nowhere hordes of cyclists appeared and began constantly ringing their bike bells, then bursting into applause to honour Jack. Jack and Olivia were avid cyclists and could be seen riding their bikes in many places throughout Toronto.
Interment
Jack Layton’s ashes were scattered in three places: Cote St. Charles United Church in Hudson, Quebec where he was raised; on Toronto Island, where he was married; and at the Toronto Necropolis, near where he lived.
Here is Jack’s bronze bust atop a red granite pillar at the Toronto Necropolis:
Leaving A Legacy
For those interested, here is a CBC timeline of Jack Layton’s accomplishments
Panorama India 2023, with the support of the Consulate General of India, celebrated India’s 76th anniversary of Indian Independence Day on August 20th, 2023 at Nathan Phillips Square.
The Panorama India Parade
The Panorama India event celebrated the vibrant culture, art and heritage of India. The event started with the Grand Parade down Bay Street, across King Street West, up University Avenue, then back to Nathan Phillips Square on Queen Street West. There, Nathan Phillips Square was transformed into a lively place with the sites, sounds, and flavors of India.
These two gentlemen on Queen Street West were preparing for the Panorama India Parade, which was gathering at Nathan Phillips SquareOn Queen Street West, arriving back at Nathan Phillips Square
Panorama India Celebrations at Nathan Phillips Square
As the parade wound down the crowd returned to Nathan Phillips Square. There was plenty of food, entertainment and dancing for the rest of the day:
At Nathan Phillips SquareHenna applicationDancers from the Tamil Nadu Cultural Society Of Canada
That’s right… across the world today – April 1, 2023 – it’s International Pillow Fight Day. What’s it all about you may ask? Today, massive public pillow fights took place in cities around the world including London, New York, Rotterdam, Seattle… and Toronto, of course!
The first World Pillow Fight day took place in March 2008, and since then the movement has grown with pillow fighting flash mobs fighting it out in more and more cities every year, all just in the name of fun. It’s simply a good way to relieve stress and have some fun; much needed these days.
The rules are fairly simple:
Swing lightly
Do not swing at people without pillows
Do not swing at people with cameras (hello!)
Soft pillows only!
Bring a bag to help with clean up after the event
International Pillow Fight Day has been on hiatus a long time in Toronto but has finally returned, post-COVID. This year I literally stumbled upon it as I passed through Nathan Phillips Square on my weekend photowalk. I grabbed some shots of the fun, and also caught a couple of gentle clouts to the head from a badly aimed rogue pillow.
This year Holiday Fair joined together with the annual Cavalcade of Lights event at Nathan Phillips Square. I checked things out this past weekend at the heavily-attended event.
Games & Midway for the Kids…
Lots Of Lights…
This year’s naturally grown spruce tree (55 ft. high) came from Baldwin, Ontario and is decorated with more than 300,000 energy-efficient lights and 500 ornaments. It will remain on display throughout the holiday season and will then be recycled into mulch for tree planting in the spring. The Christmas tree lighting is sponsored by Toronto Hydro-Electric System.
The Cavalcade of Lights will run until January 7, showcasing light displays and festive decor alongside public skating on Nathan Phillips Square. This year the event takes inspiration from light festivals and cultural celebrations around the world and features elements from a variety of holiday traditions associated with light, lantern and fire for new lighting installations.
The skaters returned to the ice after the Zamboni run-through…
Lots Of Vendors…
Mobile ATMs conveniently on hand beside the vendor tents
Food!
And of course, no event is complete without BeaverTails <so good…>
I agree with Bob K . And the weather was super warm . A perfect day for a parade. Being…