News release

Ministers Travelling to Boston to Attend Tree Lighting and Culture Mission

Communities, Culture and Heritage (Jan. 2011 - Aug. 2021)

Nova Scotia will always share a special bond with Boston due to the generosity shown by the city after the Halifax Explosion. Every year, Nova Scotians and Bostonians celebrate the lighting of the Nova Scotia tree gifted to Boston.

Communities, Culture and Heritage Minister Leo Glavine and Lands and Forestry Minister Iain Rankin, joined by several Nova Scotia companies, are in Boston to witness the annual tradition of the tree-lighting ceremony Dec. 5 on the Boston Common.

“This special tree is for the generosity shown to us after the Halifax Explosion and I am honoured to witness it light up the City of Boston,” said Mr. Glavine. “Not only is Nova Scotia is home to beautiful trees and warm hospitality, we also have many diverse communities, talented individuals and an ever-growing culture sector and this is a wonderful opportunity to promote our province.”

Prior to the tree-lighting ceremony, Mr. Glavine will participate in a culture mission, on behalf of Premier Stephen McNeil, to further explore international business opportunities to increase and promote Nova Scotian exports in the New England market. Mr. Rankin will be in attendance.

Fourteen Craft Alliance Atlantic Association participants from various organizations including museums, publishers and small businesses, are travelling to Boston to attend targeted industry meetings.

Quotes:

“Working with museum industry partners in New England provides the culture mission participants with new international business networking and collaborating skills. This knowledge transfer will create new museum retail procurement techniques to enhance and expand their existing retail programs.”

– Greg Toole, operations co-ordinator of Craft Alliance Atlantic Association

“I look forward to learning how to adapt to the current museum retail market related to product development, pricing, packaging standards and more. This experience will be truly invaluable.”

– Angela Worsley, owner of All for Knot Rope Weaving Inc. and culture mission participant

Quick Facts:

  • culture is a $929 million industry in Nova Scotia employing more than 13,000 people
  • 2019 marks the 102nd anniversary of the Halifax Explosion when two ships collided in the Halifax Harbour laden with high explosives on Dec. 6, 1917
  • the 45-foot white spruce tree is from Pictou Country
  • Nova Scotia musicians Neon Dreams and Zamani will perform at the tree-lighting
  • it will be broadcast on WCVB, an ABC affiliate, at 8 p.m. (Atlantic Time) to an audience of more than 200,000 people and another 15,000 will attend the live show on the Boston Common

Additional Resources:

Nova Scotia Culture Action Plan: https://novascotia.ca/culture

Pictou County Tree Makes it Way to Boston: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20191115002

Pictou County Family Donate Tree for Boston: https://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20191106005

Tree for Boston social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TreeForBoston
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TreeforBoston
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/treeforboston

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