So, today is July 1st, Canada Day, a day to enjoy time with family and friends and celebrate the great nation into which I was born.
There are many things I love about Canada – the warm, friendly people, the variety of landscapes – no matter what natural experience you want to have, you are sure to find it here – and the cultural diversity. Every August, my city of Winnipeg hosts Folklorama, the largest and longest-running multicultural festival in the world. Always so much fun!
But one thing Canada is known for, even if the rest of the world doesn’t actually know it, is its creative people. I was thinking about this recently while watching the adorable romantic comedy, My Best Friend’s Wedding with Julia Roberts, which featured songs by not only one but two Canadian songstresses, Jann Arden and Amanda Marshall.
Now, many of us claim that it’s because we need something to do during the cold winters but there is such an abundance of artists here that have taken the world by storm over the years, from musicians to actors to authors to filmmakers to comedians.
And here are just a few.
Where would we be without the brilliant Jim Carrey and Martin Short making the whole world laugh hysterically?
Remember the trinity that was Timbaland, Justin Timberlake and Victoria, BC’s Nelly Furtado?
The voice of a generation, Joni Mitchell – wishing you lots of love and healing in your recovery!
The stunning Shania Twain – who remains the best-selling female country artist of all time
The Group of Seven
The authors Margaret Atwood and Lucy Maude Montgomery. Seriously, who doesn’t know and love Anne of Green Gables?
Winnipeg’s own The Guess Who
James Cameron – the film director who dreams big and does what others think is impossible
And, of course, there’s the gossip darling, Justin Bieber and his protégé, Carly Rae Jepsen? I mean, if you can get Tom Hanks to feature in your music video, you’re doing all right!
And I could go on and on.
What I’m saying is that a lot of amazing talent has come from this country and we need to celebrate it. We have made a global impact in every art form and that’s nothing to sneeze at. Sure, there may be something to be said for humility but it behooves us to be reminded that we have the ability to inspire and entertain people the world over and we owe it to them to do just that.
Because we rock!
Sorry…. but we do!
In some Swimming Tigress news, I’m excited to announce that we are finally on Pinterest! So, head on over to check out all sorts of inspirational quotes, videos, music and more! And more great stuff is being added all the time so keep coming back. So get your pinning finger ready!
Have a fabulous day!
