Past activities

Magic of Lanterns 2008

On September 3 last, the Montréal Nature Museums Foundation welcomed almost 800 guests to its private pre-launch evening for the Magic of Lanterns at the Botanical Garden.

The evening was a great success. It achieved its goals of enhancing the reputation and expanding the reach of the Foundation Muséums and Montréal’s nature museums, thanking and strengthening bonds with donors, and soliciting involvement in our flagstone campaign or donations from participants.

At the event, donors were given the chance to win two tickets to fly to any regular destination in North America (including Hawaii, Mexico and the West Indies), courtesy of Air Canada’s Kids’ Horizons program. Christian de Serres, winner of the trip, is shown here with his life partner, Sylvie Letendre, Foundation President Pierre B. Meunier, and Foundation Executive Director Manon Landry.

The theme of the Magic of Lanterns, presented from September 5 to October 31, 2008, was “A Thousand and One Stars.” The event featured over 1000 traditional lanterns and dozens of enormous figures representing popular Chinese performance arts to amaze and delight visitors of all ages. There were also two shimmering curtains of water and light and a moving sphere containing lions playing with balls. The lanterns, made entirely of silk, were designed in Montréal and carefully executed by Shanghai artisans. The hundreds of lanterns arrived by boat, and were then transported to the Botanical Garden to add a special light to Montréal’s fall skies.

The guests took advantage of the opportunity to visit the magnificent exhibition Alive, by photographer Yann-Arthus Bertrand, focusing on the impact of human activity on nature. He brought together numerous wildlife and scientific photographers and Good Planet, a non-profit organization working to raise awareness of the world’s problems and promote sustainable development. This wonderful exhibition ran from June 19 to October 13, 2008.

Photographer: Michel Tremblay

Benefit Event - Noémia, a musical comedy

The Montréal Nature Museums Foundation is extremely pleased with the success of its benefit evening held on June 19 last at the Salle Jean Grimaldi of the Cégep André-Laurendeau in Lasalle. The Foundation raised over $38,500 with the activity. All those who attended the event enjoyed an impressive musical comedy entitled Noémia, written and produced entirely by young upcoming professionals.

“We are proud to have been a partner in this presentation, and would like to thank all those who made it possible: the organizing committee for the event, the members of the board of directors, and the permanent team of the Foundation. We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the show’s entire production team—they did an amazing job!” says Montréal Nature Museums Foundation President Pierre B. Meunier.

The members of the Montréal Nature Museums Foundation Board of Directors would like to extend their warm thanks to all those who contributed to the success of the evening, allowing the Foundation to continue its mission to support educational, conservation and research activities of the Muséums nature, the largest natural science museum complex in Canada. To that end, it raises funds to allow the Biodôme, Insectarium, Botanical Garden and Planetarium to carry out priority development projects. The Foundation thereby contributes to the advancement of natural science and scientific literacy, and raises public interest in the environment, sustainable development, and biodiversity conservation.

Photographer: ZPhoto.ca – Christian Carpentier

 

Magic of Lanterns 2007

On September 18, 2007, the Montréal Nature Museums Foundation had the pleasure of welcoming to the Botanical Garden, one of its museums, over 100 distinguished guests, who were invited to attend an information cocktail and to visit of the Magic of Lanterns. This was a first for the Foundation and, given the success of the event, it was decided that the experience should be repeated in 2008. 

Through the generosity of the people who attended, the Foundation collected over $15,000 over the course of the evening.

The Magic of Lanterns is a well established Montréal tradition. This year, the theme is “Between Heaven and Earth.” It features two legends paying tribute to the desire for harmony between two different worlds.

The first legend tells the passionate love story of Yunu, daughter of a celestial king, and Hai Peng, a simple earthly fisherman. It is illustrated by lanterns shaped as wondrous sea creatures and mythical figures. The second brings to life two of the best known figures in Chinese folklore. The beautiful Chang E, having accidentally swallowed an elixir of immortality, flies off to the moon as her husband, celestial archer Yi, watches in dismay. Enormous, carefully detailed lanterns depict Yi galloping after the tearful Chang E as she flies up towards the moon with no hope of ever returning.

In China, the use of lanterns to brighten and illuminate Chinese festivities dates back to the Han dynasty (207 B.C.). This centuries-old tradition is behind the creation of these glittering lanterns in myriad shapes designed to amaze and delight.

The Montréal Nature Museums Foundation opens Donors’ Square

On May 31, 2007, the Montréal Nature Museums Foundation inaugurated Donors’ Square at the Montréal Botanical Garden to pay tribute to individuals and families who contributed to its fundraising campaign. To date, the campaign has raised $107,000 and, in recognition, the donors’ names are now carved into the flagstones making up Donors’s Square at the entrance of the Botanical Garden.

The donors and members of their families were warmly greeted and thanked by Pierre B. Meunier, president of the Montréal Nature Museums Foundation, Francine Senécal, vice-president of the executive committee of Ville de Montréal, responsible for sports and recreation and the Muséums nature de Montréal, and Mario Cicioli, interim director of the Muséums nature de Montréal. 

“I am extremely pleased to note that many of us believe that we have an important role to play in defending the values we promote for the preservation of a healthy, sustainable environment. We cannot say enough about the importance of philanthropy in supporting the mission and day-to-day efforts of the Muséums nature de Montréal in that respect,” says Mr. Meunier.

2005 Butterfly Evening

On April 19, 2005, the Foundation celebrated, as it does every year, the arrival of the butterflies to the Montréal Botanical Garden and Insectarium with an evening bringing together over 250 guests in the Botanical Garden's main exhibition greenhouse. A very unusual atmosphere, in an enchanting setting with butterflies flying free.

Slide Presentation

2005 Benefit Gala

A trip around the world in our own backyard

The 2005 annual Benefit Gala of the Montréal Nature Museums Foundation has been held in the concourse of Windsor Station, on Thursday, September 29, 2005.

Slide Presentation

2004 Butterfly Evening

A benefit cocktail held to Latin rhythms on February 25, 2004, in the company of Georges Brassard, founder of the Insectarium, and his little surprise visitors, who turned up unannounced under people's noses throughout the evening.

Distinguished guests were treated to the fairytale exhibition Butterflies Go Free. The evening ended with a private showing of Léa Pool's The Blue Butterfly.

2004 Benefit Gala

A hymn to Life
Under the honorary [chairmanship, presidency] of Ms. Cynthia Carroll, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Alcan Primary Metal Group, with special guest Mayor Gérald Tremblay, the Foundation welcomed over 700 people in an elegant and festive atmosphere.

An artistic performance, more than 20 musicians from the Montréal Jazz Big Band under the direction of Hudon, a mezmerizing decor, a port and cigar tasting, the participation of five executive chefs from Fairmont Hotels, and an impressive silent auction: no effort was spared to make the evening memorable.

Chefs
- Mr. Alain Pignard, Fairmont Le Reine Elizabeth
- Mr. Jean Soulard, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac
- Mr. Laurent Miot, Fairmont Tremblant
- Mr. Jean Michel Breton, Fairmont Manoir Richelieu
- Mr. Patrick Bourachot, Fairmont Le Château Montebello
Slide Presentation

2003 Benefit Gala

Nature on a silver platter
Under the honorary [chairmanship, presidency] of Alban D'Amours, President and Chief Executive Officer of Mouvement Desjardins, more than 600 guests enjoyed themselves in a 1950s atmosphere. Everything was designed to make guests feel comfortable.

Fairmont Hotels executive chefs concocted a gastronomic menu.