Great War Remembered Concert – 2018

St. Martin's Cathedral, Ieper (Ypres), Belgium (P. Ferguson image, September 2010)

St. Martin’s Cathedral, Ieper (Ypres), Belgium
(P. Ferguson image, September 2010)

St. Martin’s Cathedral: The Great War Remembered Concert

We have steadied ourselves against the wind as we wait for the wooden doors to open. There are many of us here outside amidst the gusts of wind. Awaiting the performance, we watch as seats fill…several have been before but today is a first for this part of western Canada.

Interior of St. martin's Cathedral. (P. Ferguson image, September 2017)

Interior of St. martin’s Cathedral.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2017)

Though I snap several pictures I have preloaded other images anticipating that one would be occupied with sound, voice, music, narration and light. I am not disappointed in our evening, this 9th of November, 2018. I have absorbed deeply a great feeling of connection here amongst those assembled. There is connected emotion here, not manufactured…it is heartfelt as fingers reach for the corners of the eyes. Some sit bowed in feeling…the songs carry…there are angels here amongst us…and after more than four years of war why not…why not believe in angels?

The Crucifix at St. Martin's Cathedral. (P. Ferguson image, September 2017)

The Crucifix at St. Martin’s Cathedral.
(P. Ferguson image, September 2017)


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and in Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was further amazed by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Film captivated Paul and with time he became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was entranced when he learned Weir had visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. The film "Gallipoli" alone led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli and Salonika. It was, however, when Paul watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", that Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests would be a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, he believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

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