UBC REFUGEE SYMPOSIUM & OPERA
Breaking the Cycle: Canada’s Refugee Record on the Global Stage
Join us at UBC for a multi-day symposium, Breaking the Cycle: Canada’s Refugee Record on the Global Stage, alongside an opera and an art exhibit titled The Consul in order to stimulate discussion on the various aspects of the global refugee crisis. The UBC Opera Ensemble, the Liu Institute for Global Issues, UBC Community Engagement, the Faculty of Arts, thePeter A. Allard School of Law, Green College, St. John’s College, Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC), and other partners have come together to host the program. Operatic performances will take place on campus and at community venues – adjoined by conversation featuring prominent academics, community leaders and impassioned advocates.
Through mobile opera performances, the display of these important art works, panel presentations, video storytelling, and conversations, we aim to advance a deeper understanding of different aspects of the global refugee crisis and Canada’s role in the resettlement of refugees. We hope to foster networking among UBC students, faculty and staff, people who arrived as refugees, refugee service providers, community members, professionals and volunteers.
The Consul, an opera by Gian Carlo Menotti, charts the perils of those fleeing persecution. Menotti was moved by events during and after World War II, when many nations would not admit refugees. Written in 1949, this topical opera was awarded the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Music and features a melodic score along with a gripping narrative story lightened by some magical touches.
Accompanying the opera and symposium is an art exhibit courtesy of the Penticton Art Gallery and curator, Mr. Paul Crawford, featuring the 45 works of Judith Foster called ‘The Consul’. This collection was created in the 1950s after the artist had attended the premiere of Menotti’s opera. She was so taken by the compelling music, plot and the sheer raw emotion of the story that she revisited the performances roughly 33 times. The message of the opera inspired Judith Foster to create this incredible series of paintings. Along with her art work, the Penticton Gallery has also lent UBC paintings by Syrian artists titled ‘Behind the Lines‘. The collection will be on display in the Old Auditorium (Room 100) from November 2nd – November 6th.
The Liu Institute “Seeking Refuge” video series will be shown at each panel event.
Follow the conversation on Twitter using #RefugeeUBC.
Full Schedule
Events are free and open to the public but registration is required.
Tickets to The Consul can be purchased through UBC Opera by telephone (604.822.6725), online or in person at the Old Auditorium or Freddy Wood Box Office at UBC.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19th
12:00 PM
Venue: Welcome Centre, Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISSofBC)
Mobile Opera by UBC Opera Ensemble
Audience: Refugee families staying at the Welcome Centre
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21st
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Venue: UBC Campus (The Nest, Musqueam Post, Global Lounge, Old Auditorium)
Campus Tour for youth and young adults from refugee families based in Metro Vancouver
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Venue: St. John’s College – Fairmont Social Lounge, UBC
Mobile Opera by UBC Opera Ensemble, discussion with graduate student residents studying refugee issues as a component of their studies.
Open to public, but space is limited. Please RSVP to sjc.events@ubc.ca. Light refreshments provided.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 1st
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM, followed by dinner. Dinner tickets are available with advanced registration at 604-822-9012 orkitchen@gcdining.ca. Please bring $20 cash.
Venue: Piano Lounge, Green College, UBC
No registration required.
Mobile Opera by UBC Opera Ensemble
The Refugee Crisis in Global Perspective: Challenges in Canada and Abroad
Asha Kaushal, Assistant Professor at the Peter A. Allard School of Law in conversation with Kirby Huminuik, Liu Scholar and PhD Candidate in Counselling Psychology
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 2nd
6:30 PM
Venue: Old Auditorium, 6344 Memorial Road, UBC. Link to UBC Map
Opening Event: Refugee Journeys
Traditional Musqueam Welcome
Panel Discussion: Breaking the Cycle: Canada’s Refugee Record on the Global Stage
Moderator: Moura Quayle, Professor, Strategic Design; Director, Liu Institute for Global Issues, UBC
Panelists:
Robbie Waisman, Holocaust survivor speaker
Tima Kurdi, Aunt to Alan and Ghalib Kurdi and refugee advocate
Catherine Dauvergne, Dean, Peter A. Allard School of Law
Chris Friesen, Director of Settlement Services, Immigrant Services Society of BC
RSVP for Wednesday’s Opening Event
Light refreshments will be provided.
*‘The Consul’ art exhibit will be displayed in Room 100 of the Old Auditorium. Visit the 45 works of Judith Foster.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3rd
Panel at 5:00 PM followed by the Opera at 7:30 PM
Venue: Multipurpose Room – Liu Institute for Global Issues, 6476 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Panel Discussion: Finding Refuge: Refugee Resettlement, UBC Student Engagement and the Benefits of Generosity
Moderator: TBC
Panelists:
Katie Rosenberger, ED, the Affiliation of Multicultural Societies and Service Agencies (AMSSA)
Elizabeth Dunn, Associate Professor, Psychology, UBC
Lisa Brunner, PhD Student, UBC Migration Network
Kuol Deng Biong, World University Service of Canada (WUSC) – UBC Club Ambassador
Sarah Cameron, Assistant Director, Arts Academic Advising overseeing WUSC-UBC
RSVP for Thursday’s Panel Discussion
Light refreshments will be provided.
7:30 PM
Venue: Old Auditorium, 6344 Memorial Road, UBC
Opera Opening Night Performance
Purchase Your Opera Tickets
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 4th
Panel at 5:00 PM followed by the Opera at 7:30 PM
Venue: Multipurpose Room – Liu Institute for Global Issues, 6476 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Panel Discussion: The Fate of Women, Marginalized Refugees and Asylum Seekers
Moderator: Efrat Arbel, Assistant Professor, Peter A. Allard School of Law
Panelists:
Malcom Atia, aspiring actor, arrived in Canada as a refugee from Uganda
Fadi Yachoua, Syrian refugee lawyer
Kerstin Walter, Director, Settlement Orientation Services
Chris Morrissey, Rainbow Refugee Committee
RSVP for Friday’s Panel Discussion
Light refreshments will be provided.
7:30 PM
Venue: Old Auditorium, 6344 Memorial Road, UBC
Opera Performance
Purchase Your Opera Tickets
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 5th
Panel at 5:00 PM followed by the Opera at 7:30 PM
Venue: Multipurpose Room – Liu Institute for Global Issues, 6476 NW Marine Drive, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Panel Discussion: Public Opinion on Migration
Moderator: Rima Wilkes, Professor, Sociology, UBC
Panelists:
Rima Wilkes, Professor, Sociology, UBC
Zdravko Cimbaljevic, LGBT refugee and activist from Montenegro
Dr. Shayna Plaut, Research and Project Manager of the Global Reporting Centre, Liu Scholar Alumna
RSVP for Saturday’s Panel Discussion
Light refreshments will be provided.
7:30 PM
Venue: Old Auditorium, 6344 Memorial Road, UBC
Opera Performance
Purchase Your Opera Tickets
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 6th
2:00 PM
Old Auditorium, 6344 Memorial Road, UBC
Final Opera Performance
Purchase Your Opera Tickets
About the Opera
Opera in Three Acts // Sung in English
Gian Carlo Menotti // Composer & Librettist
Dates: November 3, 4, 5 // 7:30 pm
November 6 // 2:00 pm
Venue: Old Auditorium, 6344 Memorial Road, UBC
Norbert Baxa Conductor
Nancy Hermiston Director
Members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra
Purchase Your Tickets here
Norbert Baxa Conductor
Nancy Hermiston Director
Members of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra
The Consul, an opera by Gian Carlo Menotti, charts the perils of those fleeing persecution. Menotti was moved by events during and after World War II, when many nations would not admit refugees. Written in 1949, this topical opera was awarded the 1950 Pulitzer Prize for Music and features a melodic score along with a gripping narrative story lightened by some magical touches.
About the Art Exhibit
JUDITH FOSTER / The Consul
BEHIND THE LINES: Contemporary Syrian Art
