John and Yoko Give Peace a Chance – It was fifty years ago that former Beatle John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono staged their famous Bed-In for Peace at the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, in Montreal, an event that is difficult to classify, it could be seen as a performance or even a sort of live-action installation. Above all, it was a powerful gesture for peace, just at the time when the Vietnam War was at one of its bloodiest moments, and just south of the border passions were running high on the issue. While the American government was launching its lethal force against the Vietnamese, the movement against the war was growing strong in the U.S., especially among young people.
Fifty years later, the Bed-In for Peace would still be relevant, war or the danger of war is still very much present, and more or less from the same source: the current American administration is currently threatening war against Iran, and keeps “all options on the table,” including an invasion, in relation to Venezuela. It seems that “Give Peace a Chance,” the iconic song by Lennon, is still very relevant to hear.
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the famous event, the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel has opened an exhibition that will run from May 25 to October 9, at its Grand Hall. The show consists of photos and testimonies based on the book “A Week for Peace – The Bed-In of John and Yoko for Peace,” a compilation by Joan Athey of pictures by photojournalist Gerry Deiter who covered the event for “Life” magazine. Admission to the exhibition is free.
On top of that on May 25 between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., the Hotel organizes a guided tour of room 1742 where the Bed-In took place from May 26 to June 2, 1969. To attend the tour it is necessary to reserve online and make a contribution of $19.69, which will benefit the French-Canadian branch of Amnesty International.
During a press conference this Thursday, it was also unveiled the image of a commemorative $20 coin issued by the Royal Canadian Mint , marking the anniversary of the Bed-In. Deborah Trudeau, remarked the important connection to Canada of the emblematic event.
On May 30, at 7 p.m. at the Espace C2 located on the top floor of the Queen Elizabeth Hotel, there will be a concert which will also benefit the work of Amnesty International (Francophone branch), in defence of human rights. On this occasion, the audience will be treated to a varied selection of songs by artists such as Beyries, Ève Salvail, Geneviève Borne, Joël Denis, Jonas Tomalty, Kevin Parent, Les Porn Flakes, Lulu Hughes, Miriam Baghdassarian and Yann Perreau. Tickets are $69.
For detailed information and to acquire tickets visit Fairmont
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Give Peace a chance Canadian coin
