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Northern Lights - An amazing light & sound show on the Canada's Parliament Buildings

Northern Lights - An amazing light & sound show on the Canada's Parliament Buildings

August 2018 · 4 min read · (Old) Ottawa

This last Sunday we finally got to see the Northern Lights multimedia show on the Parliament Hill in Ottawa. This show is the perfect combination of digital technology and the stunning architecture of the Parliament Buildings.

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The sound and light show was fantastic! It embarked the viewers on a thrilling thematic journey through Canada's history. Divided in five books, the show emphasized the Canadian stories of nation-building, partnership, discovery, valour, pride and vision.

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Each one of the five books (Foundations of the Nation, Strength in Partnership, Discovery and Adventure, Valour, and Pride and Vision) left the audience in awe.

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It was my first time to see the show. From what I gathered there have been such shows on the Parliament's Hill for over three decades. I doubt that back then they were as amazing as this one! Even so, I can imagine that they had the same effect on the viewers.

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Held only during the warmer months, this nightly event starts at 10 P.M. in the month of July, at 9:30 P.M. in August and at 9:00 P.M. in September.

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Did I mention that is FREE? Yes, there is no charge for this bilingual show which is projected on the facade of the Central Block and the Peace Tower of the Parliament. Trust me, it is 100% worth of your time!

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The first edition of this show took place in 1967 as part of Canada’s Centennial Celebrations.

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When we got there, we were surprised to see the Parliament Hill's lawn was half full. I certainly did not expect to find a huge crowd on there, as it was raining when we left the hotel.

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People came prepared with blankets, plastic sheets or folding chairs for this amazing light and sound show.

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The image we saw on the Central Block was the result of 17 projectors working together, creating a HD experience.

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The first book, Foundations of the Nation, as the title suggests talks about the traditional indigenous ways of life and early European settlements.

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Strength in Partnership, the second book presents the alliances that helped shape the country. The story is told by using an illustration style reminding you of the classical paintings.

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Discovery and Adventure, the third book, reveals the achievements of explorers, scientists and innovators by using a lithographic style.

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Valour, the fourth book, is an homage to those who have served the country since the First World War.

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The last book, Pride and Vision is a celebration of Canada. The stained glass windows of the Memorial Chamber in the Peace Tower has been the source of inspiration for this style.

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At the end of the thirty minutes show, when the Canadian national anthem started, every single person on the Parliament's Hill stood up. One by one, they all stood up and sang.

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Here is a 15 minutes video of the light show recorded by my niece:

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Unless stated otherwise, all photos used in this posts are taken and owned by myself. If you wish to use any of my images, please contact me!

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! Please leave your feedback in the comments, I would love to hear your thoughts!

@2018 LaviPicu aka The Lyme Poet. All rights reserved.

Travel Resources for your trip to Canada

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Flights: We recommend checking Kiwi.com to find the best and cheapest flights to Canada.

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Day Trips & Tours: We recommend GetYourGuide for a variety of well-organized and enjoyable activities.

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