Canada is a peaceful nation, which is probably why next to the “war – this way” sign, there is a “wrong way” sign.
Or at least, that’s my twisted interpretation of this picture I snapped between Parliament Hill and Sparks Street.
This sign shows the way to the nearby Canada War Museum, a museum with which I have a love-and-hate relationship. Canada’s national museum of military history covers the country’s military past, from several hundred years ago to the most recent involvement in conflicts. And that’s the last part that bothers me: I find it strange to have wars that are currently being fought or were fought recently (for instance, in Kosovo or Afghanistan) exhibited in a museum. I do not think we have the necessary insights yet for that.
I’m all for honouring and remembering veterans, but I wouldn’t want history to be mixed with political agendas.
Maybe it’s my European upbringing—in the old world, history is only “history” if it happened a few centuries ago!
Both in high school and university, I studied Canadian and European history. And in terms of history, Canada’s is so new in comparison to Europe’s. So, the term “history” is somewhat relative re: Canada’s past – isn’t equivalent in terms of span of time. Having said that, I agree with you – history should not be mixed with political agendas. More time, more perspective is needed.
Have a lovely long weekend!
I agree, everything is relative here considering Canada is a new country. Both sides are right in a way, it’s just a matter of perception!
I echo your sentiments regarding what should be termed historic or not. I am currently in Los Angeles, and I find it bizarre that people term buildings and places as historic when it was just relevant in the 1970s. I was not so happy about that, especially since I have a fondness for the East Coast. Everything here in LA seems to be new, and so reading plaques and memorials saying it is historic is a bit of a cognitive dissonance for me.
I just love when I read “established in 199X” for businesses! I’m like “er… that’s yesterday!” 😆
L.A is a fascinating place. I hope you are enjoying your trip!
Hi Zhu,
I am starting to enjoy your Canadian pictogram “stickmen” 🙂
True, this is ambiguous again,but humor comes out of such things.
Bon week end.
Signs are often funny, depending on how you interpret them!
never like wars, and never understand why men would want to go to wars. why spill of blood when showing love is apparently free, does not require military budget, and can be done anytime, anywhere? one of the world’s greatest mysteries… 😀
People are sometimes aggressive by nature I guess.