Six Star Magazine Six Star Magazine Spring 2017 | Page 13

SPRING SUMMER
2017
CANADA
ON 1867
yours to discover
OUR NATION’S
CAPITAL
OTTAWA THE FOCAL POINT
FOR CELEBRATION
If you can only make it to one place to celebrate
Canada’s 150 th anniversary this year, let that place be
Ottawa. One of the main goals of Ottawa 2017 is to elevate
“the happiness index” for Ottawa residents and visitors
to the city alike. We also want to inspire our youth and
make Ottawa 2017 a source of inspiration, just as Expo 67
was for thousands of Canadians half a century ago.
So, the question is: How do we present Ottawa from a
totally different angle?
We have to break free from some erroneous stereotypes
and change the minds of people who see Ottawa as a
very traditional and conservative city. We will shake the
cage once and for all and free the city from an outdated
image that has lingered since the 1960s. Ottawa has
changed a lot over the years. We’ve seen the influx of
the hi-tech industry. We’ve seen people coming here to
live from different parts of the world. And we’ve seen the
development of our national museums and festivals.
We need to show a more active image of Ottawa.
That’s why, this year, we’re cranking up the volume with
artistic and audacious approaches to doing things. So
people in Ottawa will see youth-oriented programming,
the city’s “tech-y” side and its edgier side. Our program
will be big, bold and immersive in the sense that we’re
amplifying the ephemeral magic of the events. We’re
creating a sense of urgency.
BY GUY LAFLAMME
The creative mind behind the curtains for many of
the spectacular events held on Parliament Hill is the
Executive Director of the Ottawa 2017 Bureau. This
community-led, not-for-profit corporation is responsible
for all the festivities designed to celebrate Canada’s 150 th
anniversary in our nation’s capital.
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