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the quality of creative engagement in the Okanagan through publications and events.
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Words of Celebration
» Thursday 18 December 2008 | 5 pm
» The Bohemian Café, 524 Bernard Avenue
An informal afternoon hour showcasing people and ideas featured in Okanagan ARTS. Join writers, readers and storytellers David Crawley, Delphine Derickson, Cherie Hanson, Paul Henry, Ralph Milton, Marilyn Perry and Alya Ramadan in a stimulating celebration of the season.
» This is a free event. Refreshments will be available at a modest cost.
» Seating is limited, please reserve yours HERE
The Season to Celebrate our Common Joy
As the year comes to a close, it's traditional to reflect on our relationships with friends, family and loved ones. It's a time when we think about what has transpired, what we want from our future, and what we value in today.
At a time when headlines blare that Canadians are living in economic fear, it's even more important to remember the joy that exists in our lives - from the smallest moments to the most profound.
In celebration of everything this season has to offer, the Okanagan Institute's Express series has brought together a group of people who are passionate about finding joy in their lives and those around them, and we've asked each of them to read a piece of work that evokes thoughts of peace, joy and celebration.
Words of Celebration takes place Thursday, December 18 at 5 pm at the Bohemian Café as part of the ongoing weekly Okanagan Institute Express series which first launched in July 2007.
This is a rare opportunity to hear from people of Jewish, Buddhist, Aboriginal, Christian and Muslim faiths share non-scriptural readings that are sure to bring all who are willing to listen closer. Whether it's the words of John Donne, Dylan Thomas or story of the Okanagan turtle, the common thread is the human desire for love and understanding. This event promises to be peace, joy and community in action. Most importantly, it is a celebration of the Okanagan - who we are, where are, and the opportunities we have before us to move closer together as a greater community. Our honoured guests:
 David Crawley is the retired Anglican Archbishop of the Kootenay Diocese. His priority in ministry has always been social justice. He's worked as a parish priest, CBC TV host, inner city ministry coordinator and chaplain to "Integrity", an international organization for gay and lesbian Anglicans. >>
 << Delphine Derickson is a teacher, Elder and Traditionalist with the Okanagan Nation. A gifted professional storyteller, Delphine has been documenting and working to preserve her nation's language for the last 30 years. In 1993, she co-edited the book We Get Our Living Like Milk From the Land along with Jeannette Armstrong. She currently teaches the Nsyilxcen legends to students at Sensisyusten House of Learning, and recently graduated from the University of Victoria with a degree in Language Revitalization.
 Cherie Hanson is an internationally exhibiting artist who first became fascinated with Buddhism as a university student in 1964. In 2000 she picked up the practice in earnest, incorporating both meditation and participation at the Yitang Temple into her spiritual practice. She considers herself a baby in Buddhist practice. >>
 << Paul Henry grew up in England where he was raised in the Orthodox branch of Judaism. A collaborative lawyer, Paul has lived in Canada for 32 years, and is now a Reform Jew and a long-time member of the Okanagan Jewish Community and presently the Ritual Chair of the Okanagan Jewish Community.
 Ralph Milton is the co-founder of Wood Lake Publishing in Winfield and one of Canada's best-known religious communicators. Author of 17 books, including his most recent - The Spirituality of Grandparenting - he holds an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Vancouver School of Theology. >>
 << Marilyn Perry has worked as a writer and editor at Wood Lake Books, and was the Minister of Christian Education and Outreach at First United in Kelowna before retiring. An author of note, having published The Whole People of God curriculum, Marilyn was awarded a Doctor of Divinty degree by St Stephens College (U of A) in 1989.
 Alya Ramadan is a broadcaster and world-traveller. After obtaining her bachelor's degree in International Relations, she spent a year in Damascus, Syria studying Arabic and Islam before returning to Canada to study journalism. A practicing Muslim, the co-host of CBC Radio's Daybreak show in Kelowna vividly recalls that the local Muslim community used to be small enough that her dad would attend prayers in a family friend's basement. >>
Words of Celebration is a free event, and takes place at the Bohemian Café. This marks the 71st event the Okanagan Institute has held since the Express series got underway in July 2007. Since that time, the series has played host to many Okanagan luminaries, including former deputy secretary general of Amnesty International Derek Evans, artists Lee Claremont and Gary Pearson, BC Book Award nominee Don Gayton, CBC Literary prize winner poet Harold Rhenisch, distinguished editor and author Jim Taylor, poet and professor John Lent, animator and filmmaker Jim Cliffe, architect Jim Meiklejohn, broadcaster Marion Barschel and others from a wide range of creative fields.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER ONLINE CLICK HERE
Where Enquiring Minds Gather. Okanagan Institute at the Bohemian Café A hearty feast of lectures, presentations, workshops and showcases celebrating our culture and community. Produced by the Okanagan Institute in association with Wheat King Publishing magazines: Okanagan Arts and Okanagan Home. Express is sponsored in part by the Arts Council of the Central Okanagan, Wood Lake Publishing, UBCO-FCCS, and in support of Project Literacy Kelowna.
The Okanagan Institute is a group of creative professionals that have gathered around the goal of providing events, publications and services of interest to enquiring minds in the Okanagan. We partner with individuals, organizations, institutions and businesses to achieve optimal creative and social impact.
Our mission is to ignite cultural transformation, catalyze collaborative action, build networks and foster sustainable creative enterprises. We invite the participation by all members of the creative community.
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