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The Embassy Cultural House continues to give attention to the tragedy unfolding in Gaza and joins with hundreds of thousands of protesters who demand a permanent ceasefire and an end to the Israeli occupation. Attempts to silence those who support Palestinian rights are front and centre. Craig Mokhiber, the former Top U.N. Official on Human Rights in the New York office, recently resigned, denouncing Israeli bombardment of Gaza and describing it as a “text-book case of genocide". Closer to home, cultural workers are being punished for their support of Palestinians. A recently circulated letter from the Israel Museum and Arts Canada (IMAAC) addressed to Stephen Jost, Director of the AGO, concerning Anishinaabe-kwe curator, artist and organizer, Wanda Nanibush is a case in point. One of the demands in the IMAAC letter was that she engage in “anti-semitism training" as a response to her empathetic work on Palestine. News of Wanda's forced departure from the AGO has provoked cultural workers from across the country to protest this public institution's failure to protect a member of their curatorial team from external pressures. Wanda, who is known for her critical and compassionate work as the AGO's inaugural curator of Indigenous Art is respected far beyond the walls of the AGO and we will support her in whatever way she decides to move forward. In this spirit, we are sharing Wanda's article “About Land" which was published in Canadian Art in Fall 2016, and was removed from the Canadian Art website shortly after it appeared. This article is an important example of Wanda's vital work. To download the article, please click the button below. The Embassy Cultural House will continue to keep our focus on Gaza and the Occupied West Bank, and the severe consequences on individuals and communities who are profoundly affected by the traumatic events that are unfolding. While moving forward with our programming and publishing schedule, upcoming is ECH's participation in the next iteration of the international program Queer Cinema for Palestine (QCP), which will coincide with Human Rights Day on December 10, 2023. More information on this event can be found in this newsletter. 44 Governor General Award Winners Protest |
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Top left: Group photo from the discussion “Is Palestine Facing Another Nakba?" with Israeli authors Eitan & Eléonore Bronstein about their book Nakba: The struggle to decolonize Israel. This event was hosted by Independent Jewish Voices London (IJV London) at Reimagine Co. in London, ON, and co-sponsored by Canadian Palestinian Social Association (CPSA) and People for Peace London. From left to right: Eitan Bronstein, Éléonore Bronstein, Nehal Al Tarhuni of CPSA London, Sara Rans of IJV London, Chava Finkler of IJV London, and Palestinian-Canadian poet Nadine Alaloul. For more information on Eitan and Eléonore's book: https://www.nomad-publishing.com/nakba.html. Photo credit: Jamelie Hassan
Top right: “Stop the Genocide in Palestine" graffiti. Viva Palestina! Love and courage from Oaxaca, Mexico, November 7, 2023. Photo credit: Marnie Fleming
Bottom: Artists in solidarity for #CeasefireNow at SAW Gallery, Ottawa, on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Photo credit: Éloïse Mutombo
Top right: “Stop the Genocide in Palestine" graffiti. Viva Palestina! Love and courage from Oaxaca, Mexico, November 7, 2023. Photo credit: Marnie Fleming
Bottom: Artists in solidarity for #CeasefireNow at SAW Gallery, Ottawa, on Sunday, November 5, 2023. Photo credit: Éloïse Mutombo
Forest City Gallery echos the call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza
We applaud the Forest City Gallery Board of Directors and Staff for their critical and empathetic statement on the crisis in Gaza, released on November 4, 2023. To read the full statement, please visit their website.
Dreaming Palestine by Nadine Alaloul
I dream to see a falasteen free-
where the land is filled with rooted olive trees-
Where we see our flags proudly high-
Where Muslim’s, Christian’s, & Jews live together in peace like we used to.
Where Zionism ideology does not exist-
Where it is forbidden to see yourself superior above the rest
I dream to see a falasteen free-
To feel the wind of Mediterranean Sea,
To sip on babonij, chamomile tea
as I watch children play simo, hide & seek
Where we eat fresh oranges from yaffa trees-
Where we can go back home & live by our seas-
Where we rejoice in Eid, Passover, & Christmas feasts
I dream of a falasteen that knows peace-
a falasteen where love is what we teach-
for our land-
for our neighbours
for all our brothers & sisters no matter their beliefs.
I dream of a falasteen that does not know Zionism hate-
but it be a faint memory of what evil creates
I dream of a falasteen
liberated, free from hatred
free from dehumanization.
I dream of a falasteen
where every child is seen as our own-
where each tear that falls from their eyes-
is felt as our own
& I dream of a falasteen where laughter fills the streets
as we eat knafe sweets,
as we hear tabley beats
& we finally can say falasteen is free.
For more of Nadine's work, please visit her Instagram account @nadinethepoet.
where the land is filled with rooted olive trees-
Where we see our flags proudly high-
Where Muslim’s, Christian’s, & Jews live together in peace like we used to.
Where Zionism ideology does not exist-
Where it is forbidden to see yourself superior above the rest
I dream to see a falasteen free-
To feel the wind of Mediterranean Sea,
To sip on babonij, chamomile tea
as I watch children play simo, hide & seek
Where we eat fresh oranges from yaffa trees-
Where we can go back home & live by our seas-
Where we rejoice in Eid, Passover, & Christmas feasts
I dream of a falasteen that knows peace-
a falasteen where love is what we teach-
for our land-
for our neighbours
for all our brothers & sisters no matter their beliefs.
I dream of a falasteen that does not know Zionism hate-
but it be a faint memory of what evil creates
I dream of a falasteen
liberated, free from hatred
free from dehumanization.
I dream of a falasteen
where every child is seen as our own-
where each tear that falls from their eyes-
is felt as our own
& I dream of a falasteen where laughter fills the streets
as we eat knafe sweets,
as we hear tabley beats
& we finally can say falasteen is free.
For more of Nadine's work, please visit her Instagram account @nadinethepoet.
Embassy Cultural House stands with CPSA
Join CPSA for a rally on Sunday, November 12 at 12:00 PM at Victoria Park in downtown London.
The Embassy Cultural House stands with the Canadian Palestinian Social Association and is united with numerous groups in London for the “Ceasefire NOW!" pan-Canadian day of action. CPSA's diverse coalition represents people from various backgrounds and faiths to call for a ceasefire.
This family-friendly peaceful rally and march invites everyone who cares about peace and justice to stand with us.
Twenty years ago, a mass movement kept Canada out of the Iraq war. Today, we need another mass movement to stop the Canadian government from funding genocide, and supporting Israeli war crimes in Gaza. It begins with a ceasefire, but we must also call on the Canadian government to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and lift the 16-year-long siege. We must also continue to insist that the Canadian government utilize its influence to facilitate the safe return of Canadian Palestinians trapped in Gaza to their families here.
The Embassy Cultural House stands with the Canadian Palestinian Social Association and is united with numerous groups in London for the “Ceasefire NOW!" pan-Canadian day of action. CPSA's diverse coalition represents people from various backgrounds and faiths to call for a ceasefire.
This family-friendly peaceful rally and march invites everyone who cares about peace and justice to stand with us.
Twenty years ago, a mass movement kept Canada out of the Iraq war. Today, we need another mass movement to stop the Canadian government from funding genocide, and supporting Israeli war crimes in Gaza. It begins with a ceasefire, but we must also call on the Canadian government to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and lift the 16-year-long siege. We must also continue to insist that the Canadian government utilize its influence to facilitate the safe return of Canadian Palestinians trapped in Gaza to their families here.
“Black Life: Untold Stories" premieres on CBC Gem
Black Life: Untold Stories is an eight-part documentary project that reframes the rich and complex histories of Black experiences in Canada, dispelling commonly accepted myths and celebrating the many, and often unrecognized, contributions of Black Canadians who helped to shape our country. The series is now available on CBC Gem.
We would like to congratulate ECH contributor, Juan Bello, for his work as the archival producer on the episodes: “Northern Beats” and “More than a Game.” Juan notes that, "One of the main challenges across episodes, from a visual research perspective, was the lack of archival and preservation policies in connection with Black communities and individuals. It is a project that addresses systematic injustice, and the lack of equity, diversity, and inclusion in connection with 'archival' and 'broadcast' practices. That makes the series unique, it brings to light historical records that had remained unseen and unheard."
For more information: blacklifeseries.com
We would like to congratulate ECH contributor, Juan Bello, for his work as the archival producer on the episodes: “Northern Beats” and “More than a Game.” Juan notes that, "One of the main challenges across episodes, from a visual research perspective, was the lack of archival and preservation policies in connection with Black communities and individuals. It is a project that addresses systematic injustice, and the lack of equity, diversity, and inclusion in connection with 'archival' and 'broadcast' practices. That makes the series unique, it brings to light historical records that had remained unseen and unheard."
For more information: blacklifeseries.com
Embassy Cultural House to participate at the
Ottawa Small Press Book Fair
The Ottawa Small Press Book Fair, autumn 2023 edition will be held on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at Tom Brown Arena, 141 Bayview Station Road (note new location). The fair is open from 12 - 5PM.
The fair contains exhibitors with poetry books, novels, cookbooks, posters, t-shirts, graphic novels, comic books, magazines, scraps of paper, gum-ball machines with poems, 2x4s with text, etc, including regular appearances by publishers.
The Ottawa Small Press Fair is held twice a year (apart from pandemic silences), and was founded in 1994 by rob mclennan and James Spyker. Organized/hosted since by rob mclennan.
Come on by and see some of the best of the small press from Ottawa and beyond!
The fair contains exhibitors with poetry books, novels, cookbooks, posters, t-shirts, graphic novels, comic books, magazines, scraps of paper, gum-ball machines with poems, 2x4s with text, etc, including regular appearances by publishers.
The Ottawa Small Press Fair is held twice a year (apart from pandemic silences), and was founded in 1994 by rob mclennan and James Spyker. Organized/hosted since by rob mclennan.
Come on by and see some of the best of the small press from Ottawa and beyond!
Forest City Gallery's 50th Anniversary Members' Show & Sale
Detail view of Forest City Gallery's original 432 Richmond St. sign (c. 1973), recovered by a local community member. Original logo design by artist Robert Fones.
December 9 - 20
Opening Reception Saturday, December 9, 7-9PM
Forest City Gallery is pleased to announce the 50th Anniversary Members' Show & Sale Fundraiser. The Annual Members’ Show & Sale is an important avenue for artists in the community to connect and develop new audiences, while offering an affordable entry point for supporting local and regional artists and collecting unique works. This is FCG’s longest-running annual exhibition, and it serves as an important fundraising event for the upcoming programming year. 2023 marks half a century of FCG supporting local and regional artists, and vice versa. Exhibiting artists can opt to split the sale of their works with the gallery, or donate full proceeds of the sale of their works to support our programs. FCG issues charitable tax receipts to artist donors.
For more information on the show and submissions, please visit their website.
Opening Reception Saturday, December 9, 7-9PM
Forest City Gallery is pleased to announce the 50th Anniversary Members' Show & Sale Fundraiser. The Annual Members’ Show & Sale is an important avenue for artists in the community to connect and develop new audiences, while offering an affordable entry point for supporting local and regional artists and collecting unique works. This is FCG’s longest-running annual exhibition, and it serves as an important fundraising event for the upcoming programming year. 2023 marks half a century of FCG supporting local and regional artists, and vice versa. Exhibiting artists can opt to split the sale of their works with the gallery, or donate full proceeds of the sale of their works to support our programs. FCG issues charitable tax receipts to artist donors.
For more information on the show and submissions, please visit their website.
Relevant and Related Links
- Robert Fones' Six-Grid Paintings opens at Olga Korper Gallery from November 18, 2023 to December 21, 2023. For more information, visit the Olga Korper website.
- Check out the newest edition of the Old East Villager which includes a write-up about the Embassy Hotel by Marty Kolls. The front cover features Jamelie Hassan's watercolour painting, Embassy at Nite, 1978.
- The 10th Anniversary of Words: London's Literary and Creative Arts Festival continues through to November 18. To view upcoming events, please visit the Words website.
- On October 20, 2023, Jamelie Hassan, Co-founder of the Embassy Cultural House, received an Honorary Doctorate from Western University. To watch the Convocation address and thoughtful introduction by David Heap, view the video here (address begins at 00:37:50).
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