July/August 2003
Vol. 35, no. 4
ISSN 1492-4676

Library Banner Unveiled

Elizabeth A. Morton, 50th Anniversary Coordinator

At a sunny, gusty ceremony on April 29, the media, the public, and the staff of the Library and Archives of Canada got their first glimpse of the National Capital Commission’s 2003 Confederation Boulevard banners. During the ceremony held on the terrace of Library and Archives Canada, Marcel Beaudry, chairman of the NCC, presented National Librarian Roch Carrier with one of 20 special banners celebrating the 50th anniversary of the National Library of Canada.

Mr. Beaudry and Dr. Carrier unveiled the new banner, which features the centre portion of the mural Knowledge by Alfred Pellan, the original of which can be seen in the second floor Reference Room of Library and Archives Canada. Carrying the heading "50 Years: National Library of Canada" on one side and "50 ans: La Bibliothèque nationale du Canada" on the other, the banners will line Wellington Street in front of Library and Archives Canada from May to October 2003.

Beaudry and Carrier unfurled a pair of the Library banners on a standard in front of the semi-circle of the predominantly navy and gold provincial and territorial banners. The first set of the Library banners was then installed on the light standard in front of the building at the corner of Wellington and Bay streets.

"The National Capital Commission is pleased to be able to mark the Library’s 50th anniversary with this specially designed banner," stated Marcel Beaudry.

"This banner symbolizes an institution that has made accessible to all Canadians their stories, their music and their heritage over the past 50 years," said Dr. Carrier. "We are delighted and proud to be part of the National Capital Commission’s banner program along Confederation Boulevard."

"Each year, the installation of the Confederation Boulevard banners marks the arrival of spring in our capital," explained Gilles Lalonde, vice-president in charge of national programming at the NCC. "Part of the mandate of the National Capital Commission is to build a capital that will serve as a meeting place for all Canadians where they can recognize themselves and celebrate their heritage."

The other Confederation Boulevard banners portray important landmarks, symbols and historic moments associated with each of Canada’s provincial and territorial capitals and the national capital itself. In addition to the Library’s 50th anniversary, the NCC is recognizing the 100th anniversary of the city of Regina.

The Confederation Boulevard ceremonial route circles the heart of downtown Ottawa and Gatineau (Hull sector) and serves to link many of the National Capital Region’s remarkable institutions, attractions and national landmarks, including Library and Archives Canada. The Confederation Boulevard banners highlight the symbolic aspect of Canada’s capital, create a colourful link with the provinces and territories, and commemorate important milestones in our country’s history. For more information on Confederation Boulevard and the thematic banners, visit the NCC Web site.

More information on the 50th anniversary of the National Library of Canada and on the Pellan murals is available at www.nlc-bnc.ca/50th/ and www.nlc-bnc.ca/10/7/a7-4204-e.html.