November Updates with the Embassy Cultural House!

This week, we want to focus on the range of work that is being done in solidarity with the people of Palestine. The wider community is doing the work that—we are hopeful—will lead to change. 

The Embassy Cultural House will also be participating in the next iteration of Queer Cinema for Palestine (QCP), which will coincide with Human Rights Day on December 10, 2023. More updates on this event will follow.

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Solidarity for Palestine

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

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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.

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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. 

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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. 

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“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 

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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! 

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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. 

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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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Thank you for reading