Canadians celebrated the 150th anniversary of the country
Hundreds of thousands of Patriotic citizens, the opposition and just revellers gathered on Parliament hill in Ottawa for a Grand celebration. Many came from other cities.
About 25 thousand Canadians — patriots, and just fun lovers gathered on Saturday on Parliament hill in Ottawa for a Grand celebration, preparing well in advance. Maple Leaf country celebrates the 150th anniversary.
In 1867, Britain granted its former colony dominion status — in fact, an independent state within the British Empire (now Commonwealth) associated with the United Kingdom shared a monarch.
The process of independence finally ended in 1982, when the British Parliament recognized the right of Canada to change its own Constitution without the participation of the former metropolis.
Canada day July 1 — the main state holiday of the country.
The anniversary this weekend is celebrated in all cities and settlements, squares and courtyards with barbecues. The total number of participants only in and around the capital amounted to about half a million people. But the epicenter was in Parliament hill.
The crowd did not disperse even past around midday the rain.
Many came from other places.
Students Morgan Haynes, John Salamati and Nina Sahebi from Vancouver on the Pacific coast came to the hill before dawn, to get the best seats near the main stage.
“Anniversaries are rare. I’m afraid in the year of the 200th anniversary we will not be able to undertake such a journey,” said John correspondent Bi-bi-si.
The program included performances of the circus “Du Soleil”, Bono of U2, aerobatic demonstration team of the canadian air force Snegiri, ceremony of adoption, canadian citizenship, immigrants and powerful fireworks.
Youngest Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, made the openness to the world and tolerance of his business card, kept it.
“We don’t care where you were born, what religion are you and someone you love — welcome to Canada!” he said under the cheers from the crowd.
Then Trudeau repeated his short speech in French — the second official language of Canada.
He also paid tribute to the indigenous people of Canada and called on the society to realize the mistakes committed against them in the past.
Aboriginal culture was well represented at the festivities in Ottawa and other cities.
However, some Indian activists announced that on this day, they have nothing to celebrate, and early in the morning on Thursday was erected West of the main stage a traditional tent tipi, and on Saturday at dawn, lit bonfires in protest against the “centuries of colonization”. The authorities did not interfere.
The British crown at the celebration was presented by the Prince of Wales. On the opposite Bank of the Ottawa river, in Gatineau, belonging to French-speaking Quebec, the heir to the throne and his wife the Duchess of Cornish, opened the new building of the Museum of the history of Canada.
Holiday, including security measures, at a cost of about 500 million canadian (385 million U.S. dollars).