The inspiration for this project came from conversations with hundreds of Canadians whose families had been directly affected by losses in WWI. These conversations inspired R.H. Thomson and Martin Conboy to create a vigil to ensure that students in schools across the country would remember the losses that families of all WWI veteran’s suffered. Each November 11th, the war dead are collectively remembered, but Conboy and Thomson wanted students across Canada to acknowledge them as individuals once in their academic lives.

With this in mind they approached VAC for funds to create a schools vigil for each of the 68,000 Canadians killed in WWI.  In 2008, Conboy and Thomson had created VIGILE 1914-1918 VIGIL at the National War Memorial and in seven cities in Canada and in the UK. The 2008 vigil took place over seven nights and the names of every Canadian killed in WWI appeared on public buildings in each participating city.  The 2008 vigil was produced with the assistance of Canada’s National History Society. The public response to VIGILE 1914-1918 VIGIL was so supportive that Thomson and Conboy wanted to create an even larger vigil having a greater representation in every region of Canada. They wanted as many schools as possible across Canada to be centers for the vigil and so engage students in a unique act of remembrance.

The International Churchill Society Canada and the Churchill Society For The Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy agreed to be presenting partners. Once again the web company Ecentricarts came on board to create the website and update the software necessary to project the names. Thomson and Conboy also felt that for educational and historical purposes the vigil must take place in the city of Ieper (Ypres) in Belgium. Ieper is central to the Flanders region where so many Canadians fought and died in WWI. The producers approached the city officials in 2008 about presenting the Canadian vigil in the center of their city and are thankful for Ieper’s significant contribution to creating the vigil there.

Once again Veteran’s Affairs Canada became the keystone funders of the vigil. The producers are grateful for the support of the Minister and the excellent understanding and interest of VAC staff. Private corporate fundraising is ongoing to complete the financial challenge of the project.  The producers are also thankful for the donations that many schools were able to make.

Martin Conboy is a renowned lighting designer with a background that also includes producing, directing and scenic design in theatre. He has credits for over 150 productions in dance, theatre, special events, light shows and many site specific light art installations. In architectural lighting, he has worked with design firms across Canada, and government projects in Canada and abroad. The latter includes the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa and the Vimy Memorial in France. Currently Martin is exhibiting photographs of the re-design of the lighting of the Vimy Memorial, at the Fritzi Gallery in Ottawa. Portfolio images can be viewed online at http://www.martinconboylighting.ca.

R. H. Thomson is one of Canada’s foremost actor/directors and has received numerous awards over his 30 year career. In 2001, he wrote and performed a highly personal play, The Lost Boys, based on letters written home by his five great-uncles who fought in WWI. Its television version delivered his second Gemini Award.

Ecentricarts Inc. is a web design and development company which works on many arts, culture and education-based projects. This innovative studio is based in Toronto and has clients across Canada and internationally. Ecentricarts Inc. designed and built the online project VIGILE 1914-1918 VIGIL and is honoured to be working on the CANADA 1914-1918 YPRES project.

International Churchill Society Canada, www.winstonchurchillcanada.ca, is part of the Churchill Centre and Churchill War Rooms, London. It was founded in 1968 to foster leadership, statesmanship, vision, courage and boldness among democratic and freedom-loving peoples worldwide, through the thoughts, words, works and deeds of Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill. The aims of the Society are accomplished by way of lectures and seminars, and publication of scholarly and popular journals, with special attention to the education of the younger generation. Annually an award is presented to an individual who has demonstrated Churchillian qualities in a meritorious endeavour.

The Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy, www.churchillsociety.org, is a non-profit charitable corporation whose objectives are to honour the life and legacy of Sir Winston Churchill and to promote, foster and facilitate education and debate about parliamentary democracy among young people, educators and Canadians at large.  The Churchill Society holds a gala dinner in November each year recognizing a prominent and distinguished Canadian with its Award for Excellence in the Cause of Parliamentary Democracy, now in its 27th year.  During the year the Society organizes and hosts forums and debates about relevant issues relating to parliamentary democracy as well as the annual Churchill Debate at Hart House, prominent speakers forums and book discussion groups. The Churchill Society sponsors the Ontario Legislative Intern Program and various other educational programs, in partnership with the Library of Parliament, and has two publications namely the Churchilliad and the Blue Book. The Society is also an ally of the International Churchill Centre

The organizers wish to thank the students, staff and principals at the participating schools. It is a large undertaking for them, and their support, interest and unique approaches to the project have inspired everyone. As well, many individual teachers, Heads and principals have made significant contributions to the Vigil over the past two years and for that the producers are grateful. Also appreciated are the support and interest of the City of Ieper, the In Flanders Fields Museum, The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, SEAL, the Globe And Mail, The Last Post Association, The Canadian High Commission in London, the Canadian War Museum, and Canada’s National History Society.

Of course nothing is possible without the excellent staffs of Martin Conboy Lighting Design and Ecentricarts, the vigil coordinators Margaret McKay, Elaine Normandeau, Arthur Milner, Barbara Cuerden, Andrew Thomson and Samuel Arsenault-Brassard and the members of the Churchill Societies who put in long hours making the project possible. Other thanks go to Vigil supporters such as The Rotary Club Toronto, Bill and Meredith Saunderson, Graham Tobe, Ron Smith, John Andras, Gilbert Reid, Pauline Couture, Sierra Noble and Brian Thomas.

The producers also wish to acknowledge our four extraordinary Vigil Patrons – Michael MacMillian, Blake Goldring, Jim Doak and Richard Rooney.

But above all, the organizers wish to thank the families of the veterans of WWI.