In honor of Remembrance Day, various communities in Ontario’s Niagara Region are adorning their museums, churches, and legions with crocheted poppies through the Poppy Project initiative. The project was spearheaded by Christine Girardi, an assistant curator at the Niagara Falls History Museum, in early 2020 as a local community art endeavor.
Girardi emphasized the importance of connecting programs at the museum with historical roots and engaging the community in learning about the past, particularly to pay tribute to the sacrifices made during wars involving Canadian troops. Initially a local project, the Poppy Project gained international recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic, gathering 11,000 knitted poppies from contributors across Canada, the U.S., and Europe.
Yvonne Miller, a member of the StickN’ Needles Guild in Niagara, highlighted how the project provided a sense of accomplishment during the challenging times of the pandemic. Museums, churches, and legions in Niagara expressed interest in having their own poppy displays, aiming to spark reflection on Remembrance Day and the sacrifices commemorated by the poppies.
Joanne Ring, the exterior lead artist of the Poppy Project, described the knitted poppies as symbolic representations of individual contributions to Canada’s wartime efforts. The installations will remain in place until November 12.
Various events in Niagara are planned to mark Remembrance Day, including services, parades, and ceremonies in different locations across the region. These commemorative activities serve to honor and remember the sacrifices made by those who served in the armed forces.