In Commissioners Park, there is a raised tulip bed in a circle. When I passed by on my evening stroll, the plants were still green. A close look might note two shades of green in the bed, so there are two types of tulips here. The bed will look quite different when I next feature it.
Along one side of the circle are a series of display boards about the Second World War, the liberation of the Netherlands by Canadian troops, the ties between both countries, and the origins of the Tulip Festival. I've photographed the entire series before, but wanted to photograph some this time, which include the fact that Crown Princess Juliana and her daughters stayed here in Ottawa during the War, and her daughter Princess Margriet was born here. The baby was christened at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church downtown; the photographs on the last of these panels were both taken by the portrait photographer Yousuf Karsh.
Further along the pathway is a large statue overlooking the lake. It is called The Man With Two Hats, by the artist Hank Visch. It is one of two identical statues, the other standing in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. This one has been here since 2002 and was unveiled by Princess Margriet. Both statues symbolize the close bonds between Canada and the Netherlands.
Karsh was the BEST! You are pretty good too, William. I enjoy your posts
ReplyDeleteHistory is an very important subject.
ReplyDeleteTomás.
I like the statues with 2 hats and looking forward to see the colours of the tulip blooms.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very beautiful connection to the Netherlands William.. Love the sculpture, I wonder if any of your Dutch readers have seen its twin in Apeldoorn!
ReplyDeleteSo nice your city still remembers the connections between Canada and the Netherlands. Didn't know of the statue in Apeldoorn, the place where Princess Margriet lives.Thanks for sharing. Will have to take a look some time in Apeldoorn.
ReplyDeleteI remember reading about these facts and the statue on your blog before, maybe last year? It's a beautiful statue, it's hands are waving to Apeldoorn far away :)
ReplyDeleteLove the idea of duplicate statues in two different countries.
ReplyDeleteJanis
GDP
I was in a small town in the Netherlands once, and was amazed at the thankful attitude toward Canadians, fifty years after the war.
ReplyDelete@Cloudia: thanks!
ReplyDelete@Tomas: it is.
@Nancy: I took a whole lot more shots from here yesterday evening.
@Grace: I hope so.
@Marianne: you should definitely find it.
@Marleen: yes, I have featured it before.
@Janis: I do too.
@Furry Gnome: they do remember.
The tulips are a beautiful way to commemorate the ties between Canada and the Netherlands.
ReplyDeletei do remember your post about the tulip connection. :)
ReplyDeleteThe bond between dutch and Canadian is certainly well known on both sides. The tulip makes for a great symbol of that relationship.
ReplyDeleteSeeing the bilingual signs is so familiar to me; but as you know, seeing English on any sign here in Quebec is indeed rare. Nice series.
ReplyDeleteI love that statue.
ReplyDelete@Norma: they are indeed.
ReplyDelete@Tex: I thought it was good to include some of them.
@Red: it certainly does.
@Linda: Here bilingual signs are very common.
@Sharon: so do I. I think I'll photograph it again before the festival is over, in full light.
I believe I've read something on one of your earlier posts about the connection between Canada and the Netherlands but you've offered more specifics this time. It's a wonderful bond and I love that statue!
ReplyDeleteI'd forgotten about the man! Is there a plaque there? Gosh, I'm so forgetful these days!
ReplyDeleteNice to show the connection between Canada and the Netherlands again.
ReplyDeleteI like that statue with two hats. When ever I come to Apeldoorn I will try to photograph the other one.
When I lived in The Netherlands, I had several Canadian friends.Some of them had maple leafs sewn on their jackets. You are correct the Dutch liked them. At least in the 1980's they hadn't forgotten.
ReplyDeleteThe tulips really opened up here the last 2 days but it is cold again so they won't be happy!
ReplyDelete@Lowell: it's a statue you can't miss.
ReplyDelete@Jennifer: yes, the plaque is nearby, just off to the right of the pic.
@Jan: that would be good of you.
@Janey: it's still that way.
@RedPat: it hasn't cooled down here, though things have been unsettled.
I remember that post too. A wonderful connection.
ReplyDeleteNice sculpture! I like that it represents the bond between the two countries.
ReplyDeleteSuch a wonderful gift from The Netherlands to Canada. A friend was in Ottawa recently for the tulip festival and shared photos on Facebook. They are gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteIt is a lovely story. I'd like to see the tulips someday.
ReplyDeleteThe statue's pose is unique and impressive. There is a welcoming, friendly air about it.
ReplyDeletei don't really have lots of hats, but i wear all sort figuratively ... wife, daughter, sister, cleaner, cook, blogger, reader, writer, i could go on but i love the statue and thoughts behind it. i can so understand. 2 is enough, considering you don't have more than one noggin??! ha. ha!! ( ;
ReplyDeleteI've had the pleasure lately of watching a small patch of Dutch iris starting to bud and bloom outside my kitchen window lately. It's a slow progression but worth the time to wait it out. Your tulips are putting on a similar show.
ReplyDelete@Denise: it is indeed.
ReplyDelete@Bill: I like that too.
@Pamela: I've been getting lots of pics in. Now to get them in posts!
@Joan: fortunately the tulip festival is always here this time of year.
@Gemma: there is, yes.
@Beth: that I can agree with.
@Kay: they definitely are.
My hubby is from Holland. He tells me all that you have said.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting to be married to have met a dutch guy and later married him. Great conversations and history.
Thank you!
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