With 2008 being the 25th anniversary of the Black July, the Canadian Tamil Congress would like to observe the occasion in a way that will begin to bring solace and public understanding. Throughout the month of July, CTC in collaboration with various community organizations will be hosting various events (as detailed below). The Congress would like to invite Canadians and Tamils of all walks to take part in this process of remembrance and education. Click here to see the Gallery page for pictures of all the events of Black July.
Exhibit
The "Remembering Silenced Voices" Exhibit commemorates the 25th anniversary of the persecution of Sri Lanka's Tamils in the Anti-Tamil pogrom of July 1983.
Exhibit visitors will leave with a fresh perspective on the Sri Lankan narrative, an understanding of the history of their fellow Tamil Canadians and a lasting impression on the resilience of the human spirit. | Date: | Saturday, July 26, 2008 | | Time: | 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM | | Venue: | Arta Gallery, Distillery District
55 Mill St., Suite 102, Building 9
Toronto, Ontario, M5A 3C4
Tel. 416-364-ARTA (2782)
www.artagallery.ca | Click here for pictures of the event. Mobile Exhibits Around the Greater Toronto Area
| Dates | Location | | July 7th - 9th | Mississauga City Hall, Great Hall
300 City Centre Drive, Mississauga, ON | | July 18th - 22nd | Toronto City Hall
100 Queen St. West, Toronto, ON | | July 23rd - 25th | Scarborough Civic Centre
150 Borough Drive, Scarborough, ON | | July 29th - 31st | Regional Municipality of York, Great Hall
17250 Yonge Street, Newmarket, ON | Vigil
In commemoration of the victims of Black July, a vigil will be held. Let us join in solidarity to remember our lost friends and family members as we strive forward in bringing an end to the violence. | Date: | Friday, July 25, 2008 | | Time: | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM | | Venue: | Albert Cambell Square
150 Borough Drive
Scarborough, ON
(Scarborough Civic Centre) | Click here for pictures of the event.
Blood Donation Campaign
The 26th anniversary of Black July brings back memories filled with sadness and loss. For many Canadian Tamils, those memories are also filled with gratitude for the kindness from fellow Canadians as we sought refugee from the perils of Sri Lanka. Let us take the opportunity to give back. To join the campaign as a volunteer or as a partnering community organization, please feel to contact CTC at (416) 240 0078. Click here for pictures of the event.
Youth Conference
On July 27th, a Conference designed for Tamil youth between the ages 16 to 29 in the University of Toronto Scarborough will be held. Topics related to Tamil history, heritage, language and philosophy will be discussed. In addition, it will focus on Tamil Canadian identity with respect to its current reality and future steps. | Date: | Sunday, July 27, 2008 | | Time: | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM | | Venue: | University of Toronto @ Scarborough Campus
Arts & Administration Building, Room # AA112
1265 Military Trail
Toronto, ON
M1C 1A4 | Click here for pictures of the event.
Play - What if the Rain Fails
What if the Rain Fails is a dramatical performance that chronicles the life of a Tamil refugee from Sri Lanka who escaped the anti-Tamil violence in 1983 and sought refuge in Canada. Employing testimonies, poems and multimedia, the play vividly portrays the moral, and material challenges that Tamil refugees encounter in the Diaspora. | Date: | Saturday, July 26, 2008 | | Time: | 1:00 PM, 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM | | Venue: | Young Centre for the Performing Arts
Distillery Historic District
55 Mill Street, Building 49
Toronto, Ontario M5A 3C4 | Tickets are available at the Young Centre Box Office (www.youngcentre.ca, 416.866.8666) or Canadian Tamil Congress office (416-240-0078). Click here for pictures of the event.
Other Black July Events
[IN CANADA] Prayer Service Gathering | Date: | Wednesday, July 23, 2008 | | Time: | 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm | | Venue: | Ben Franklin Place
101 Centrepointe Drive
Ottawa, Canada | | Contact: | 613-789-9371 |
Prayer Service Gathering
| Date: | Saturday, July 26, 2008 | | Time: | 12:00 pm | | Venue: | Thurkadevi Hindu Temple
7468 Edmonds Street
Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada | | Contact: | 778-231-0074 | | More: | Press Release | In conjunction to a Blood Donation at the Vancouver Blood Services at 4750 Oak Street.
Prayer Service Gathering
[ELSEWHERE] British Tamils Forum Photo Exhibition | Date: | Wednesday, July 16, 2008 | | Venue: | Parliament
London, England |
Candle Light Vigil
| Date: | Wednesday, July 23, 2008 | | Venue: | Parliament
London, England | Organized by: British Tamils Forum and Tamil Councillors Association
Black July Rally
| Date: | Thursday, July 24, 2008 | | Time: | 9:00 am - 11:30 am: Capitol Hill Lobby Visits
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Rally with USCB
3:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Black July Vigil | | Venue: | Upper Senate Park (Russell Park) | | Contact: | For more details, click here. |
Black July Vigil & Photo Exhibition
| Date: | Friday, July, 25 2008 | | Time: | All Day | | Venue: | Trafalgar Square
London, England | Tamil Youth Organisation will hold a 25 hour vigil for the 25th anniversary where nearly a million visitors a day pass by. The British Tamils Forum will also have its photo exhibition there.
| | |
