265. Multicultural Doors Open

 

Image courtesy of Riwoche Tibetan Buddhist Temple

Saturday, May 26 and Sunday, May 27. 12-5pm. Some buildings close earlier.

Over 135 buildings in the GTA are open to the public on either or both days, for free. Most of them will expect visitors and have a guide on hand to explain the history, architecture, and customs. Someone should be able to answer your questions. Doors Open is a highly recommended festival.

Among the buildings that might be of interest to fans of multicultural Toronto are many places of worship. They include the Canadian Turkish Islamic Heritage Association and the exquisite Riwoche Tibetan Buddhist Temple in the Junction. The ISKCON Hare Krishna Temple, the British Chapel of St. Alban, and the Periya Sivan Hindu Temple in Scarborough are on the list. So are St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church, and the Chinese Baptist Church. There is also the Buddhist Kadampa Meditation Centre.

Hindu God. Hare Krishna Temple. Image copyright ©2012 Ruth Lor Malloy

Please take advantage of the chance to visit the Native Child and Family Services on College Street. It has a roof-top sweat lodge and sweet-grass garden. On the ground floor is a long house.

The Japan Foundation at Bloor and Avenue Road is open and you might want to visit the International School at Lawrence and Bayview. It was formerly the French School.

The list is long and I’d welcome other suggestions though you won’t have time for all of these. The buildings, addresses, open times, photo policy, parking and washroom facilities are on: http://bit.ly/JXF0of . We’re anxious to hear about your adventures there. It’s not just a chance to see the architecture, it’s an opportunity to meet people of another culture.

The website is http://www.toronto.ca/doorsopen2012 .

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *