Guestbook

H Taylor from Edmonton wrote on 5 February 2020 at 15 h 52

Visited the exhibit today - it was absolutely wonderful and brought me to tears. I appreciated the stories and scents - it brought it alive and into the present for me. Thank you!

Tom Andrews from Edmonton wrote on 31 January 2020 at 16 h 58

Finding my great-uncle's name on the backdrop provided an emotional and personal overtone to what I thought was a poignant and beautiful exhibit. Thank you.

Harold Jones from Plainfield, NH USA wrote on 17 April 2019 at 20 h 04

I teach a lengthy unit on the First World War and would love to share this experience with my students. The horrors of war, destruction, and death were common for so many. The poignant and deeply moving exhibit should be seen by anyone that studies the generation that was living at this time. I wish there was a published booklet/guidebook with the flower’s scents that might evoke some of the emotions of the exhibit.

Jennifer Tyldesly from Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada wrote on 11 June 2018 at 9 h 58

By far, the most poignant exhibit I have seen from any war. A fitting and most sombre tribute to those who fought, were injured, left grieving, or to those who died here. Lest we forget.

Kathia Kerridge from London, England wrote on 11 June 2018 at 9 h 56

The music, the scents, photographs and etched glass and few curated objects made for a truly evocative experience.

Steve from Toronto wrote on 26 January 2018 at 16 h 15

I’m looking forward to seeing this display. I too have a collection of letters sent home to my Mom and Granny by my late uncle. They are quite remarkable. Tiny wildflowers, pressed within letters sent home to calm his families fears. One of these letters contains a small envelope. Within the envelope a piece of shrapnel the size of a raisin and a note saying “here’s a little piece of Germany that was in my knee. Silly isn’t it”. He fails to mention that the tank battle that left him wounded spared him the deadly fate the befell several of the other members of his tank crew. My uncle was a fine man with a great sense of humour and very honest, if un-glorified opinion of what it meant to go to war at twenty years of age. He fought in France and Belgium with the Governor General’s Foot Guard and buried many of his friends in places like Caen and Falaise.

Jeanne from Ottawa wrote on 17 November 2017 at 20 h 28

The curator of War Flowers is a genius !

Stephanie Thurston from Ottawa wrote on 12 November 2017 at 22 h 14

I was truly in awe of the beauty in this exhibit. It really impacted me... I thought about it all evening long. The aromatics allowed me to transcend time and I was transported to a time of sorrow and longing between father and daughter. I love the simplicity and innocence that the flowers depict, along with the enduring, spiritual presence they hold. Thank you for this empathic and very special exhibit.

Barb Amsden from Toronto wrote on 29 October 2017 at 16 h 42

It is hard to take the physically small exhibit in at one go; I have been four times and each time see, hear, smell, take away something different. Memorable; sad. Has affected young and old, men and women, veterans and people who never have known war, different cultures. Go and go again.

Kathie Siler from Dover, Delaware, USA wrote on 17 October 2017 at 8 h 51

I was two years old when my father was drafted into the Marines to be a machine gunner at the beginning of the Korean War. I recently published his letters home on Facebook according to the dates they were written. Your exhibit captures the tenderness of hope, the brokenness of loss, and the determined commitment to make it home to hold his wife and children (my brother was born two months after Dad was taken) that pulsed through his letters. Thankfully, he made it home, but there were scars that never healed . . . . Your exhibit, as it touches on the bitter realities of war and the sweetness of hope, faith and love, brought forth tears I didn't know I had. Thank you.

Lynn Valley and Curtis Walker from North Vancouver, British Columbia wrote on 26 September 2017 at 15 h 27

I was not expecting to encounter such a moving and excellent war memorial. Well done indeed. War flowers should be toured right across Canada, so that every citizen can experience it.

May Keating from Montréal, Québec wrote on 24 September 2017 at 14 h 41

All children, famillies of today should see this exhibit. Beautifully presented, though tragic.

Jill Cervi from Windsor, Ontario wrote on 24 September 2017 at 14 h 40

I have never been so strongly impacted by a war exhibit before. You have truly brought forth the humanity of war. Thank you. My father is the keeper of one of the Princess Mary's tins that was a gift to his father. My grandfather was in the Royal Military our of London, England. It is a treasured family heirloom.

Kathy Durmin wrote on 24 September 2017 at 14 h 38

I am thinking the whole time of my grandfather who fought at Vimy Ridge and other battles. He survived but would never speak about the war. This exhibit brings me even loser to his memory. Thank you

LCol (R) Bruce D Bolton, Chairman Heritage Committee, The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada from Montréal wrote on 28 August 2017 at 13 h 39

Having been in the museum field for more than 50 years I can say, without hesitation, that War Flowers, is the most intense and emotional exhibition I have ever seen. The combination of unique original letters from the horrific front lines of First World War to innocent children at home in Canada with scents, photographs and sculptures to match the themes and which are associated to well-known Canadians make this an experience that should, better still, must not be missed.

Bellamy Schmidt from Holyoke, Massachusetts wrote on 24 August 2017 at 9 h 37

Shockingly good! A well crafted -- and surprisingly beautiful -- portrait of the collision between the tenderness of emotion and the brutality of war. Paints a very loving portrait of those who served so well in defense of us all.

William Cundill from London, England wrote on 15 August 2017 at 19 h 02

A fantastic exhibition. The use of scents in the gallery is a feat in itself expanding the historic sensibility beyond sight and touch while profiling interesting characters from Canada on their missions abroad

S. Andrews from Kettleby, Ontario wrote on 11 August 2017 at 7 h 40

An extraordinary exhibit creating a space for personal reflection on each of the stories around this war. I was wary about the introduction of the scents but they are remarkable triggers which enhanced the written and visual exhibit. Well done to the team who brought this idea of "wild flowers" to us.

MJ Bertrand from Montréal wrote on 7 August 2017 at 20 h 21

I saw this exhibit last week end in Métis, QC on the road home from vacation. It has haunted me ever since. I stumbled upon it visiting the gardens and the wonderful mansion. The multimedia format including flower scents, artfully blended with the story telling of family members at WW1 is sure to take Canada and the world by storm as the exhibit moves through. I did not come from a military family, but that war took my paternal grandfather in 1918 at 28, and his eldest son at 1 year of age in the same year from the Spanish flue leaving my dad fatherless and my grandmother a widow. She too never remarried. We have never heard in what capacity my grandfather served or any other details about him, other than his dying from the Spanish flue returning home from the war. His name is Eugene Bertrand from St-Hermas, QC. I did not see him on the list of the dead at the exhibit. Je recomande fortement d'aller voir cette exposition. Merci de l'avoir créée!

Helen Thornton wrote on 19 July 2017 at 21 h 08

July 19th 2017 (My 2nd visit!) Congratulations to all involved in this exceptionally moving Art exhibition. Men, women and families were torn apart because of war. As a team, you have come together and are drawing us together; humanity together, by revealing love, light; beauty, despite the horror and morbidity associated with WWI. Our senses are awakened. I instantly shed tears. Tears of sadness because I have fond memories of fascinating conversations with my Nana and Grandad (in England) whom both experienced War. My Grandfather as a chiroproctist for the RAF and my Grandmother in the ammunition factories. I could also relate my tears to a certain ‘joy’, happiness and a new understanding of what so many people went through… memories left… a part of our history. ‘Nana’ lost her father at War. I was the one who found his name ‘listed’ at Edinburgh Castle : “SAGAR, Arthur 21293 L/Cpl b. Worsboro Dale Yorks. Died of wounds F+F. 22/8/16 1st Bn”. It was an emotional moment of finding such important information, and as a family, we learnt that my own mother, many years later, was actually born with that same birthdate : the 22nd August ! The symbolic drapes in your exhibition are a strong reminder, as I read and traced my fingers over names and names and names… We will remember them ! WOW factor from A to Z. Thank you for such and intimate tribute to all families involved near or far. It’s hard to walk away. I want to stay ! WAR FLOWERS, the world is your oyster, Bon voyage. (I’ll be coming back for more before you leave.) Mark Raynes Roberts was chosen to add intricate detail by engraving crystal… my heart is engraved thanks to war flowers. Helen Thornton British+Canadian Citizen

Al Bergermeister from Panama City, Florida wrote on 16 July 2017 at 23 h 37

As for the War Flowers project - kudos upon kudos to that phenomenal team of talent who created, and those people and organizations who supported this project. “Moving” doesn’t quite capture my reaction. “Staggering” is more like it. What a brilliant idea and how fabulous that a little team of six very clever individuals (I watched each of the videos) plunged the depths of their artistry to fabricate such an amazing emotional recreation. I’m still there….. A. Burgermeister

Lynne McCulloch from Burlington, On wrote on 15 July 2017 at 12 h 37

We owe them so much!

Mark Bergom from USA wrote on 15 July 2017 at 12 h 37

Poignant and so well done. Reminder of the horrors of the war.

Anonymous wrote on 15 July 2017 at 12 h 36

Very, very moving memorial.

Nicole Clement from Norton, NB, Canada wrote on 15 July 2017 at 12 h 36

Awesome!

Susie, Martha and Chantal from London, UK, Toronto and Drummondville wrote on 15 July 2017 at 12 h 35

Congratulations Viveka We feel very privileged to go through War Flowers with you giving us your reflexions on this monumental exhibition to honour the heroes of WWI. The way in which you tell the stories with letters and pressed flowers using all of the senses is innovative, engaging and memorable. We thank you very much. Susie Gibson, London, UK Martha Osler Hannon, Toronto Chantal Aucoin, Drummondville

Mike and Ben wrote on 15 July 2017 at 12 h 35

Powerful.

C. Marshall wrote on 15 July 2017 at 12 h 35

An amazing show.

Diane Kent Das from Bedford, NS. wrote on 13 July 2017 at 12 h 32

Congratulations for this superb human effort for the War Flowers, touring exhibit. Reading, seeing the symbolism of the flowers would move me to tears. Words don’t fully express the love and dedication to allow us to see, feel and love this exhibit. Thank you.

Sandra Young from Danville, Qc wrote on 12 July 2017 at 12 h 30

Very moving exhibition! Excellent in every way and a good reminder for us to be thankful for their sacrifice. We live in a safe, wonderful country thanks to them.

Helen Fortin, Fraser-Hudson Institute from Montréal wrote on 9 July 2017 at 12 h 27

Wonderful exhibition!

Anonymous wrote on 9 July 2017 at 12 h 25

Very touching. Appreciate all images words & scents.

Karen & Kevin from Kingston wrote on 9 July 2017 at 12 h 25

Who are the names on the walls? I don’t see those of my great-uncles. Are they all the Canadian war-dead?

Jessica Crawford from Toronto wrote on 8 July 2017 at 12 h 22

What a wonderful father Mr. Cantlie was.

Linda Boyle from Toronto wrote on 8 July 2017 at 12 h 21

Very moving.

Rosanne Narisse from Pte Clair Que wrote on 8 July 2017 at 12 h 20

Beautiful exposition.

Sophia Fine and Julie wrote on 7 July 2017 at 12 h 19

Very interesting.

Jane Hatton wrote on 4 July 2017 at 12 h 16

Beautifully done.

Alan and Michèle wrote on 4 July 2017 at 12 h 15

Absolutely touching exhibition. Thanks. Let’s not go there again.

Sandstorm wrote on 4 July 2017 at 12 h 15

Cool!

Arew and Alison Cornford-Mathewson from Saint John, NB. wrote on 27 June 2017 at 12 h 13

Fascinating and beautifully arranged exhibition

Callie wrote on 26 June 2017 at 12 h 10

Excellent exhibition. What have we learned 100 years later?

Sarah Paiyain from Montreal wrote on 26 June 2017 at 12 h 10

Beautiful gardens and exhibition. I love the dark room & the attic! Thank you very much.

Don Collar from Ottawa wrote on 26 June 2017 at 12 h 09

Very moving exhibit. Well done!

Patrick Thienne from Winnipeg MB. wrote on 25 June 2017 at 12 h 06

Wonderful, one of the best exhibits I’ve ever seen.

Lynn & Peter Kinsella from Rothusay NB wrote on 25 June 2017 at 12 h 05

So wonderful that these sweet letters and flowers were saved and now being shared !

Paul Weiss from Saint John, NB wrote on 25 June 2017 at 12 h 05

Wow ! So moving !

Harry Hart wrote on 21 June 2017 at 21 h 12

Great exhibition !

Slaine Hooper from Saint-John wrote on 21 June 2017 at 21 h 11

Beautiful.

Jim Philip Russell from Quispansio wrote on 21 June 2017 at 21 h 11

Absolutely gorgeous !

Écrivez un nouveau message dans le livre d'or