Aga Khan Garden Edmonton Nurin Merchant simerg news

CANCELLED EVENT: Aga Khan Garden to feature Treaty 6 Singers and Dancers and the Royal Canadian Artillery Band in Coronation Celebration at U of A Botanic Garden, Saturday May 13, 2023 — Free admission & parking!

Compiled and prepared by MALIK MERCHANT

UPDATE MAY 9, 2023: Due to the severity of wildfires in Alberta, this special event commemorating the coronation of King Charles III has been cancelled.

The Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta is joining with the University of Alberta in a special celebration to mark the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on Saturday, May 13, 2023, at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden in Edmonton. The celebration will feature free public admission to the Botanic Garden throughout the day, and an afternoon program to include performances by the Treaty 6 Singers and Dancers (Aga Khan Garden, 1:30 PM), the RCMP Pipes and Drums (Pine Pavilion, 2:15 PM), the Royal Canadian Artillery Band (Aga Khan Garden Amphitheatre, 3:00 PM) and Kita no Taiko Japanese Drummers (Kurimoto Japanese Garden, 3:45 PM.)

The official program will commence at 1:00 pm at the Aga Khan Garden’s beautiful Talar building with greetings by Her Honour, the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta.

Talar Building Aga Khan Garden Edmonton, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Simerg
A view of Aga Khan Garden’s magnificent Talar Building, where Her Honour, the Honourable Salma Lakhani, Lieutenant Governor of Alberta will offer greetings on Saturday, May 13, 2023, before the commencement of special musical events celebrating the coronation of King Charles III. Photograph: Nurin Merchant/Simerg.

Here is a brief description of the bands that will be performing at the Coronation celebration:

Treaty 6 Singers and Dancers (Aga Khan Garden)

For our readers’ information, Treaty 6 encompasses 17 First Nations in central Alberta including the Dene Suliné, Cree, Nakota Sioux and Saulteaux peoples. Treaties are the law of the land in the relationship between First Nations and the rest of Canada.

The peoples of the Treaty 6 area have diverse cultural traditions that are reflected in their musical and dance styles. All of these groups regard music and dance as vital parts of their lives. For them, music has a strong presence in their lives; in ceremonies, rituals, prayer, and various other spiritual practices. Along with dance, it is a means to unite people with each other and with the Creator. Dancers follow the beat of the drum, which is interpreted as a continuation of the Earth’s heartbeat – the same heartbeat that unites all people and is first heard inside the mother’s womb.

Today, music and dance continue to play a vital role in the spiritual and cultural lives of the Treaty 6 peoples.

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The Royal Canadian Artillery Band (Aga Khan Garden, amphitheatre)

The Band provides music for military parades and ceremonial occasions, formal concerts, government functions, tattoos, and special events. The RCA Band performs as a 35 piece Brass / Reed Parade Band, a 35-piece Concert Band, as well as in various smaller configurations.

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The RCMP Pipes and Drums (Pine Pavilion)

RCMP Pipes and Drums. Simerg article
RCMP Pipes and Drums will perform at the University of Alberta Botanic Garden’s Pines Pavilion on Saturday, May 13, 2023 in honour of the coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey, London, on May 6, 2023. Photograph: RCMP Pipes and Drums.

The RCMP Regimental Pipes and Drums of Alberta is comprised of Civilian, Military and RCMP members. The band is a not for profit group with members throughout Alberta that promote the RCMP within Alberta and nationally. The band uniform consists of the RCMP scarlet tunic and the RCMP tartan kilt. This uniform is recognized world wide and represents a national institution.

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Kita no Taiko Japanese Drummers (Kurimoto Japanese Garden)

This drumming group is one of the oldest Japanese drumming groups in North America and will enthrall the audience through the powerful, beautiful sound of the taiko (drum). Watch how taiko combines dynamic music, primal rhythms, and the human spirit to create an unforgettable artistic experience.

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Coronation Celebration of King Charles III

King Charles Coronation Celebration, University of Alberta Botanic Garden, Japanese Garden, Aga Khan Garden
Please click on image to visit the Lt. Governor of Alberta website for further information about the coronation celebration event.

Date posted: May 8, 2023.
Last updated: May 9, 2023 (event cancelled.)

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Material for this post was compiled from the following websites:

Calgarians and Albertans: Experience the Majestic Oceans and its Sea Animals at Glenbow at the Edison – Free Visit from May 11-21, 2023

By MALIK MERCHANT

Albertans can count themselves lucky for being blessed with incredible nature and the scenic beauty of the Rocky Mountains. For example, the Icefields Parkway between Lake Louise and Jasper is one of the most spectacular drives in the world. Along the entire route, there are mountains, canyons, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, forests and hiking trails and wildlife. The natural spaces in the province are utilized by its residents as well as visitors from around the world throughout the year. During the past 4 months, I was amazed to meet visitors from as far as Australia, New Zealand, Spain, the UK, Lebanon, Peru, Iran, Japan, the Netherlands and Brazil, among many other countries, enjoying our winter activities.

A stingray. Photograph: Hussain Aga Khan/Focused on Nature, Living Sea Exhibition, Glenbow Museum Calgary
A stingray. Photograph: Hussain Aga Khan/Focused on Nature.

As lovers of nature, and to experience nature of a different kind, Albertans travel to the oceans to swim and snorkel in warm waters as well as for relaxation. The oceans are filled with over one million species of living creatures — from the tiniest Zooplankton, to the nudibranch to the blue-ringed octopus, to the dolphin, to the shark and the whale. But how many of us, while playing and enjoying the ocean, will dive into its depths to experience the marvels of the underwater world?

Well, we have a wonderful opportunity here in Calgary as the Glenbow presents a captivating exhibition of sea animal photographs captured by Prince Hussain Aga Khan, whose love for wildlife began when he was only 5 years old. This early childhood interest has grown into a passion for diving into the oceans and mingling with sea creatures of all kinds. Over the last decade he has taken thousands of pictures and a selection of his photographs have been published in books such as Diving Into Wildlife and the most recent one The Living Sea which is also the theme of the Glenbow exhibition. Hussain’s photographs have also appeared on National Geographic blogs.

Aside from taking photographs, Prince Hussain has become an activist on the protection and preservation of ecosystems in oceans and seas. Through his organization Focused on Nature (FON), the Prince shares his passion and personal mission of conservation and the urgent need for more research and actionable initiatives on global issues negatively impacting the environment.

Glenbow’s exhibition from May 11-21, 2023, will feature a collection of his stunning photographs in large scale format. The exhibition is free and an opportunity that none of us should miss. It will be inspirational for everyone, and perhaps a turning point in many peoples lives when they see how the ocean is in danger of losing many of its species. It might even spur the youth to consider careers in oceanography. In any case, children as well as adults will be awed by Prince Hussain’s stunning underwater photographs.

Once again, this incredibly curated exhibition, The Living Sea – Fragile Beauty, is being held at the Glenbow at the Edison from May 11-21, 2023. It is FREE to attend. Please click Glenbow: The Living Sea to register.

Date posted: May 5, 2023.

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ABOUT THE PHOTOGRAPHER

From a young age, Prince Hussain Aga Khan developed a keen interest in conservation, tropical fish, reptiles and amphibians – and began scuba diving at 14. He started travelling to the tropics frequently after high school and began taking photographs of fauna and flora on a trip to the Brazilian Amazon in 1996.

Multiple photographic expeditions, often organized jointly with scientists or professional photographers, have led him to constitute extraordinary archives, covering various geographic areas and types of habitats. He has also captured many marine and terrestrial species.

His international exhibitions aim to inspire admiration for wildlife and the desire to protect it. Collections of Prince Hussain’s photographs have also been published in four books: Animal Voyage (2004), Diving into Wildlife (2015), Fragile Beauty (2022) and The Living Sea (2022). Proceeds from the sale of his books are donated, via Focused on Nature, to shark, cetacean or sea turtle conservation.

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Travelling the world with Muslim Harji: An exclusive photo series on Cairo, a city founded in 969 by the Fatimids, ancestors of the Aga Khan

Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

On Monday. April 17, 2023, Simerg’s sister website Simergphotos will launch a special 4-week series on Cairo — a city founded more than a 1000 years ago by the Fatimids, ancestors of the present 49th Hereditary Imam of the Shia Ismaili Muslims, His Highness the Aga Khan.

Lanterns in Islamic Cairo. Photograph: Muslim Harji.
Lanterns in Islamic Cairo. Photograph: Muslim Harji.

Muslim Harji’s photographs will cover Islamic Cairo, the city’s popular foods including its street foods as well as the beautiful Al-Azhar Park that has captured the hearts of Cairo’s residents. He will conclude the series with photographs of his memorable visit to Aswan, the burial place of the 48th Ismaili Imam, Mawlana Sultan Mahomed Shah, His Highness the Aga Khan III (d. July 11, 1957.)

Fellucas on the Nile in Aswan. Photograph: Muslim Harji
Fellucas on the Nile in Aswan. Photograph: Muslim Harji

As a forerunner to the Cairo series, we invite our readers to view a selection of Muslim’s highly acclaimed photo essays that have appeared in Simerg and its sister blogs over the last decade. Muslim’s dazzling pictures will capture your imagination and leave a permanent mark on your minds.

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TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH MUSLIM HARJI TO CANADA, SPAIN, THE MIDDLE EAST, CENTRAL ASIA, IRAN, INDIA AND MORE

Please click on the hyperlink or corresponding image for full story

SACRED SPACES IN WORLD RELIGIONS INCLUDING JERUSALEM

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AN ANTHOLOGY OF THE SILK ROAD

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STREET FOODS OF SOUTH EAST ASIA

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THE ALHAMBRA

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NELSON MANDELA AND THE ROBBEN ISLAND PRISON

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MONTREAL’S BEAUTIFUL AND DIVERSE ISMAILI FACES

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TAJIKISTAN LANDSCAPES

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STREET FOODS OF INDIA

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BARCELONA’S WORLD FAMOUS LA BOQUERIA MARKET

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ISMAILI VOLUNTEERS AT WORK: PREPARING A COMMUNITY FEAST

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DELHI’S SPECTACULAR ISLAMIC HERITAGE INCLUDING HUMAYUN’S TOMB

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DUSHANBE’S MAGNIFICENT ISMAILI CENTRE

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THE AGA KHAN’S 80TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS IN MONTREAL

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DUBAI’S JEWEL: THE ISMAILI CENTRE

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IRAN AND ALAMUT LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE

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AN ISMAILI WEDDING IN THE PAMIRS

Date posted: April 13, 2023.

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The Easter tradition and sacred Christian objects

On April 9, 2023, Christians around the world will observe Easter Sunday as mark of their faith that Jesus Christ — Prophet Issa (may peace be on him) as he is known in Islam — was resurrected three days after his death by crucifixion. Simerg presents a selection of photos related to Easter traditions and the Christian faith captured by Montreal’s Muslim Harji during his travels around the world. The photographs shown on this page are part of a broader presentation of Harji’s highly acclaimed and must-read photo essay SACRED SPACES in world faiths that appears on Simergphotos.

Crucifixion procession Jerusalem
This route through the Old City of Jerusalem is revered by Christian pilgrims as the route taken by Jesus as he was led to his crucifixion. It is the setting of regular processions. Photo: © Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

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Muslim Harji Sacred Spaces Christian Simergphotos Stone of Anointing
The Stone of Unction, also known as the Stone of Anointing, is just inside the entrance of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, and is believed to be the place where the body of Jesus Christ was laid down after being removed from the crucifix and prepared for burial. Photo: © Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

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Muslim Harji Sacred Spaces Christian Simergphotos
A Coptic Christian priest at the Lake Tana Churches and Monasteries in Bahar Dar, Ethiopia, holding for display an early manuscript. The Lake Tana area was important from the 14th through 16th centuries in view of its role in maintaining the Christian faith against contemporary pressures, and the rise of the Solomonic Dynasty which patronized the building of churches and monasteries. Many of the earliest manuscripts and precious examples of ecclesiastical art as well as royal objects were safely stored in their treasuries. Photo: © Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

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Muslim Harji Sacred Spaces Christian Simergphotos
Sacred objects of ecclesiastical art at the Lake Tana Churches. Photo: © Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

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Muslim Harji Sacred Spaces Christian Simergphotos Monastery
St. George’s Monastery, Jerusalem, where Christian monks maintain their ancient way of life, began in the fourth century with a few monks who sought the desert experiences of the prophets. Photo: © Muslim Harji, Montreal, PQ, Canada.

Date posted: April 4, 2021 (in Simpergphtos).
Date reposted: April 8, 2023.

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Please take a moment to review Simerg’s Table of Contents as well as visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah and Simergphotos. The editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.

Stunning photos: Banff National Park’s beautiful animals and nature in the thick of a Canadian winter

Please click: BEAUTIFUL BANFF

If you are in Alberta, and are waiting for warmer weather to see Banff National Park’s emerald coloured lakes, green forests and wildlife, make no mistake that the Park offers extraordinary scenery in winter. Its snow covered mountains and frozen lakes will baffle your eyes and, with the exception of bears who will be in hibernation for a few more weeks, you will also encounter an amazing variety of wildlife. Malik Merchant’s short excursion to Banff and Lake Louise offered him a rare opportunity to witness how Albertans, Canadians and people from all over the world come to Banff to enjoy its extraordinary mountains, ski resorts, sulphur springs, canyons and trails….as well as coffee shops, restaurants and art galleries! Please click HERE or on the photo below for Merchant’s story and photographs on Simergphotos.

A coyote off Banff’s Tunnel Mountain Road. Please click on image for story and more photos.

Featured photos at top of post: A CP freight train passes through Morant’s curve on the Bow Valley Parkway (Hwy 1A), 6 kms from Lake Louise. The lookout point is a very popular spot for visitors as it offers a stunning view of trains coming around the bend, with the Bow River flowing along the side and mountains in the background. It is a dream spot for train lovers! The frequency of the trains is unreliable, though.

Date posted: March 14, 2023.

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Photo Essay: Alberta’s Beautiful Waterton Lakes National Park and the Stunning Kananaskis Country

Please click Waterton Lakes National Park and Kananaskis Country

Nurin Merchant pens down a photo essay to reflect on her summer visit to Alberta in 2022. With spring soon approaching and summer to follow, Nurin strongly recommends that Albertans and visitors to the province should consider visiting Waterton Lakes National Park and the Kananaskis country to experience their extraordinary natural beauty, the stunning Rocky Mountains and superb wildlife. Please click PHOTO ESSAY or on the photograph below to view a small collection of photographs from more than 1,200 that she took with her dad over a period of 6 days in Alberta.

Waterton Lake. Please click on image for photo essay.

Featured photo at top of post: Forget Me Not Pond, Kananaskis Country.

Date posted: February 26, 2023.

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Before departing this website, please take a moment to review Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought-provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. Also visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and SimergphotosThe editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.

‘Dream’ Image of a Snow Leopard in Mountains in Ladhak Wins Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award; Highly Commended Finalists are from Canada and Spain

“I’m incredibly proud to be the winner of this year’s People’s Choice Award and I thank all the supporters around the world for making this happen. Photography can connect people to wildlife and encourage them to appreciate the beauty of the unseen natural world. I believe that a greater understanding of wildlife leads to deeper caring which hopefully results in active support and greater public interest for conservation” — Sascha Fonseca, Germany….Click READ MORE or on photo below 

Natural History Museum, Wildlife Photographer of the Year People's Choice Award
Top: Winner, Snow Leopard by Sascha Fonseca. Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award, developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London. Other wildlife images in collage are Highly Commended Finalists. Please click on image for full story and photographs. All photographs Copyright of the respective photographer.

Wildlife Photographer of the Year People’s Choice Award is developed and produced by the Natural History Museum, London.

Date posted: February 11, 2023.

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Before departing this website, please take a moment to review Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought-provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. Also visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and SimergphotosThe editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.

Morant’s Curve: One of the World’s Premiere Train Lookout Points in Banff National Park’s Bow Valley Parkway

Malik Merchant returns to Banff National Park after 15 long years, and this time at the start of 2023 in the thick of winter. His photographs will bring you closer to one of Canada’s top destinations and you will be awed with what you learn and see about Morant’s Curve as well as a rare endangered snail that only lives in Banff’s sulphur springs….and, of course, we have other Rocky Mountain photographs too! You must read and share this beautiful post. CLICK FOR MORE! Or click on photos, below.

Can you spot the endangered snail? Click on image for more photographs from the Cave and Basin National Historic Site in Banff’. Photograph: Malik Merchant.

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Morant's Curve, Malik Merchant Simerg Photos.
Morant’s Curve, Bow Valley Parkway, Hwy 1A, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Please click on photo for more beautiful photographs. Photograph: Malik Merchant.

Date posted: January 14, 2023.

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REVIEW SIMERG’S TABLE OF CONTENTS AND VISIT ITS SISTER WEBSITES

Before departing this website, please take a moment to review Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to hundreds of thought-provoking pieces on a vast array of subjects including faith and culture, history and philosophy, and arts and letters to name a few. Also visit Simerg’s sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and SimergphotosThe editor may be reached via email at mmerchant@simerg.com.

Stunning Starry Night and Milky Way Photos Taken by Ron Richey at Jasper National Park, Canada

Introduced by MALIK MERCHANT

PLEASE CLICK: STARRY NIGHT AND THE MILKY WAY, JASPER NATIONAL PARK

Pyramid Mountain, October 18, 2022.

I fell in love with Pyramid Lake and the Pyramid Mountain behind it the moment I saw it on October 17, 2022. I kept going to it every day I was in Jasper, but nothing could be as breathtaking than being at the site on a dark clear night during Jasper’s annual Dark Sky Event. On October 18, I stood next to Ron Richey as he focused his lens into the sky and photographed the Milky Way and all the millions of stars above the Lake. I am pleased to share his photographs on Simergphotos. Do not miss this incredible awe-inspiring view of our universe by Ron, an avid photographer and a passionate lover of nature. And remember he took the photos in Jasper, the 2nd largest Dark Sky Preserve in the world. So, you can imagine!

Milky Way, Pyramid Lake, Ron Richey, Simergphotos.
Our Milky Way, stretching 1000,000 light years across and 13.6 billion years of age. Please click on photo for Ron Richey’s stunning photographs.

Date posted: November 1, 2022.
Last updated: November 6, 2022 (as a repost.)

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Photos and Story of Internment at Banff and Jasper National Parks During World War I, and Jehangir Merchant’s 1961 Internment in Mozambique

PLEASE CLICK: Story of Internment

Malik Merchant’s recent visit to Jasper National Park to attend the Dark Sky event apparently taught him an important new lesson in Canadian History — the internment of Ukrainians and others from European countries who were deemed to be “enemy aliens” by the Canadian Government. While reflecting on this sad chapter, Malik’s thoughts also turned to the internment of his own father, Jehangir Merchant, in Mozambique in 1961 for almost 6 months for holding an Indian passport. Read and share his post which includes excerpts from a loving letter that Jehangir wrote to his beloved wife, Malek, as a new member was added to the Merchant family just as the internment of Indian citizens got underway. Please click HERE or on the image below for the article and photos in Simergphotos.

Please click on photo for article

Date posted: October 25, 2022.

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REVIEW SIMERG’S TABLE OF CONTENTS AND VISIT ITS SISTER WEBSITES

Before departing this website please take a moment to visit Simerg’s Table of Contents for links to almost 2000 pieces published since the website was created in 2009. Also visit Simerg’s two sister websites Barakah, dedicated to His Highness the Aga Khan, and Simergphotos. Barakah’s editor may be reached at mmerchant@simerg.com. Malik may be followed @Facebook and @Twitter.