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Subject: [DOUKHOBOR] Press Release - Doukhobor Discovery Centre: End ofSeason
Date: Sun, 23 Nov 2008 22:39:01 -0000

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Author: Jon_Kalmakoff
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Classification: queries

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http://boards.rootsweb.com/topics.religious.doukhobor/3179/mb.ashx

Message Board Post:

Doukhobor Discovery Centre: End of Season

Prepared by Larry Ewashen

The Doukhobor Discovery Centre has had another successful season. Although tourist numbers were down in most venues we emerged with an increase for the 7th consecutive year. Our state of the art tracking system [different coloured pins for each month on a world map] indicates world wide visitors; points of the compass being Finland, New Zealand, Japan and Hawaii.

It is encouraging to note that eco-tourism is the fastest growing industry in British Columbia. It may be surprising to note that Statistics Canada reports Canadians spend more on cultural events than sporting events. In 2003, in BC, this was $120,000,000. versus $75,000,000. Financial encouragement of our heritage institutions is not a subsidy but an investment. The City of Vancouver now has a full time cultural advisor and has calculated that it receives a return of $11.50 for every dollar invested as subsidy.

We have had over 25 tours including Rotary from South Africa as well as school tours and major bus tours from Surrey, Seattle, and California.

Thanks to our efforts, the settlement of the Doukhobors was proclaimed an Event of National Importance, and the leader, Peter V. Verigin, named a Person of National Historical Significance by the HSMBC. We continue to play a role in the restoration of the Doukhobor Suspension Bridge, and had the official plaque dedication ceremony at our opening. We appreciate the City's participation as evidenced by the celebratory banners.

In addition to our own well attended exhibits, the Doukhobor Discovery Centre and Curator Larry Ewashen created several outreach exhibits. For the first time we had a Doukhobor display at the Fall Fair, a Doukhobor exhibit at the Port Moody Museum and a Doukhobor Textiles exhibit opening soon at the Touchstones Museum, as well as a Doukhobor exhibit at the Selkirk College Library. We also assisted in producing the 100th Anniversary Pictorial in conjunction with Black Press. In February, courtesy of funding through CBT Heritage Week, we did a major field recording and research project concentrating on traditional Doukhobor hymnology and psalms. This project culminated with a collective concert in Grand Forks featuring psalm singers from Grand Forks, the Slocan Valley and Krestova. This project is currently continuing with a video being produced which will be available to schools, universities, libraries as well as on DVD and our website, this project supported by BC Arts Coun!
cil.

We appreciate the assistance and cooperation of the City of Castlegar in repairing and restructuring our ailing porches.

We also continue seeking ways to preserve our deteriorating implements.

We look forward to continued success in the coming year. It will be equally challenging but an equally exciting one with official visitors and more plaque unveiling to look forward to.

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