NLC looks at the borders and walls that divide us
By Cecilia Nasmith
The phenomenon of the borders and walls that divide us is the subject of the Fall 2022 Northumberland Learning Connection series that runs from Oct. 13 through Nov. 4.
Borders & Walls: What Divides Us explores the role these barriers play in geopolitics, ancient history, social norms and art through eight events (including a tour of the dry stone walls that stand in Northumberland County).
The NLC press release said borders and walls have shaped our very human civilization.
“Nomadic tribes created barriers of mud and stone – on the one side they protected; on the other, they excluded. A blunt tool, walls provide temporary respite from problems while exacerbating the tensions they were intended to solve. They crumble and rise again in other forms, and in the process become a medium for political and artistic expression.”
Organizers count more than 70 geopolitical walls – more, they note, than in 1989 when the Berlin Wall finally fell to make one Germany out of two.
Then there are the metaphorical walls that also exist, guarding against change to the status quo.
The eight events alternate between Cobourg and Port Hope, and include one Zoom session.
Oct. 13 – 20th Century Geopolitical Walls with Marcello Di Cintio – In an age of globalization, border walls are increasing, a phenomenon Di Cintio observed when researching his book Walls: Travels Along The Barricades – Columbus Columbus Community Centre (232 Spencer St. E., Cobourg), 7:30 p.m. - $25
Oct. 14 – Living in the Shadow of the Palestinian Wall with Marcello Di Cintio – In a conflict that shadows every aspect of Palestinian existence, Di Cintio learned how words can be dangerous and contraband, how books are something to fight for, and how poetry can be an act of resistance – Port Hope Public Library (31 Queen St.), 10 a.m. - $15
Oct. 20 – Walls: A History of Civilization with David Frye – The author of Walls: A History of Civilization in Blood and Brick explores the surprising role of walls in the rise of civilization, enabling arts and sciences, and how they were once as necessary as agriculture from Mesopotamia to China, Greece and beyond – Zoom event, 7:30 p.m. - $15
Oct. 22 – Dry Stone Walls in Northumberland (an excursion) with John Shaw-Rimmington – This expert in restoring historic stone buildings extended his focus to the use of stone in landscaping and building dry stone walls, which he teaches throughout southern Ontario (a region where he has created many dry stone art installations) – Meet at Columbus Community Centre at 10 a.m. - $25
Oct. 27 – Beyond The Pale: Antisemitic Walls with Norm Ravvin – As a metaphorical wall, Antisemitism dates back to antiquity, and grew along with concrete ghetto walls in some western and central European locales. Author Ravvin explain how the urge to move “beyond the Pale” (the large area on Russia's western flank to which Jewish people were restricted) was propelled by waves of pogroms in the final decades of the 19th century – Columbus Community Centre, 7:30 p.m. - $25
Oct. 28 – Canada's Immigration Walls of the Past with Norm Ravvin – As a 1930s emigrant from central Poland, Ravvin's grandfather could only enter Canada as a single man sponsored by a close relative. He challenged government rejection of Jewish newcomers to bring his wife and children to rural Saskatchewan – Port Hope Putlic Library, 10 a.m. - $15
Nov. 3 – We Capture The Walls: Muralism with Warren Carter – Carter has studied Mexican muralists in the period following the revolution of 1910-1920. These became a benchmark for artists radicalized by the Great Depression, and for African-American and Chicano artists who created murals on ghetto walls in the 1960s and early 1970s – Columbus Community Centre, 7:30 p.m. - $25
Nov. 4 – Contemporary Street Art with Warren Carter – This is a look at the international scope of murals – for example, in Belfast, Loyalist and Republican murals still vie for attention. These were a precursor to the ubiquitous graffiti and street art that now seems part of the contemporary urban environment the world over – Port Hope Public Library, 10 a.m. - $15
A new feature for this series is a bonus for those in attendance at Thursday events (that would be the sessions on Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Oct. 27 and Nov. 3). Your in-person ticket will now include private access to videos that are not available from YouTube. If you prefer to watch from home, these videos will be available a few days after the live event.
Tickets to all events are available at www.connectnlc.ca
