Positive Environmental Forecast from an Unlikely Place

 Sylvain Bouchard, Polyform’s representative, holds plastic crystals made of recycled waste. The company recycles 5 million kg of plastic waste annually. All photos by Damira Davletyarova. I don’t own a cottage, or a house, so it was the free tickets and mere curiosity that brought me to Ottawa’s Cottage and Backyard Show

Smells like Pancakes: Russian Community Celebrates Maslenitsa in Ottawa

 Head Sister Irina Shiraeva poses with dancers from Ottawa's School of Modern Dance and their teacher, Anna Kamsha. All photos by Damira Davletyarova. A little parish on 412 Booth St. smells like blini. You might call them pancakes or crêpes. It’s getting hotter in the kitchen. Flour particles disperse in the air.

Black History Month’s 20th Anniversary Shines on Accomplishments and Challenges

 All photos courtesy of Damira Davletyarova. Kika Otiono smiles shyly while onstage. She is facing a full auditorium at the Black History Month kick-off event at Saint Paul University. Otiono is about to receive the 2016 Youth Builder Award for her leadership and work that makes Ottawa a more diverse

Before the National Inquiry: Countering Stereotypes Through Education, Employment and Art

 Aboriginal community members at the annual Sisters In Spirit Candlelight Vigil in Ottawa in October. Photo by Damira Davletyarova. "I embrace you my sisters; and myself too We will go forward with strength anew Our friendships will travel with us down the road Fortified by the stories we now hold..." Excerpt from

Once Upon Kingdom: Ottawa Children’s Theatre Turns Six

 Photo courtesy of Mikhail Matousov Once upon a time, in faraway Russia, a little girl Ekaterina Vetrov dreamed of theatre. Over one hundred people came to celebrate the theater's birthday. Photo courtesy of Lily Baranova Today, the artistic director Vetrov is celebrating the sixth anniversary of her own international theatre

Canada eyes Kazakhstan as a top priority market

 On December 16, folk festivals, parades, displays of traditional food and fireworks took over many cities across Kazakhstan. Cheering crowds flooded main streets to celebrate the country’s 23rd birthday. In connection with Kazakhstan's Independence Day, prominent Canadian politicians and members of the business community shared their experiences of working with