Celebrating Life | A New and Inspired Festival for Calgary
JUNE 15TH, 2022 | CALGARY EVENTS, WHAT'S HAPPENING, PRIDE
A New and Unique Take on a Taboo Subject
Death is, in many ways, a taboo subject. It is a topic that many prefer not to discuss openly. When it does come up, it is quickly brushed under the rug so as not to be a downer on a conversation. The last two years of the pandemic, however, have forced many of us to face death in an unprecedented way. Death was everywhere on the news and touched the lives of colleagues, friends, and our own. Despite this, our conversations around death have remained largely unchanged—that is, they still aren’t happening.
In March, Bird Creatives was hired to assist with the marketing of Celebrating Life, a festival growing out of two years of isolation. The festival began as an idea to help our community work through loss, together. True to its name, it is less about death and more about celebrating and honouring the lives of those who are no longer with us. Inspired by the Mexican tradition of Día de Muertos and the experience of the Equinox Vigil, Celebrating Life’s aim is to encourage us to connect with, support, and uplift each other as we move forward with a renewed hope for the future.
A Celebration of Culture
Several people with arms outstretched frozen in position as a collaborative exercise by TRAction
Throughout April and May, Celebrating Life featured cross-cultural performances from a variety of incredible talents in our community. From a Ukrainian dance ensemble to a Mexican soprano singer and so much more, we got to see life honoured and celebrated in practices and cultures from around the world. Celebrating Life was able to touch all four quadrants of Calgary, they held performances in cSPACE King Edward, Mount Royal University’s Bella Concert Hall, the National Music Centre – Studio Bell, and Many Horses High School in Tsuut'ina Nation, among other venues.
Participants were encouraged to share stories of their loved ones. They could write a digital tribute, share a personal memory, repeat a significant quote or saying of their loved one, or even upload a photo. The digital tributes and photos gathered will be shared in a collage at the end of the festival.
Celebrating Life is one example of many local and emerging festivals that Calgary has to offer. In our growing and diverse creative economy, such opportunities are so important for connecting rich local talent with all Calgarians. This festival highlights the possibilities and benefits possible when we uplift our local musicians and performers—we find connection as individuals and growth as a creative city.
Be sure to check out Celebrating Life’s final event for 2022, Celebrating Life Vigil at Union Cemetery, where there will be a community gathering around live music, storytelling, and tributes, among other activities. Be sure to also check out Casa Mexico, the originator of Celebrating Life.
Thank you Celebrating Life, for teaching us that while death may be a taboo subject, “celebrating life” shouldn’t be!
