Mass Abedi’s Documentary was a Big Hit

Last night, Thursday, February 25th, 2016, approx. 6 pm, I attended the Film screening of “Germans in Canada” by Mass Abedi, of AbcoFilmCorp. This even was co-hosted by Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany Mr. Josef Beck together with The Consul General of Switzerland Mr. Urs Strausak and The Honorary Consul General of the Republic of Austria Mr. David Haber.

All 3 Consuls talked about their unique countries’ perspective, and Consul General Urs Strausak even introduced a new book “Swiss Immigration to Canada Achievements – Testimonies – Relations” written by Ilona Shulman Spaar. (can be ordered on Amazon: Available through AMAZON.CA

“The people of Europe are a vital part of Canadian history. In the past and the present, they formed and are still forming the country´s multicultural mosaic. But even though every ethnic group played their own important role in the formation of this unique society, there is one community, in addition to the English and French, that had an outstanding impact in Canada´s past: The Germans.

Whenever Europeans set foot on the North American continent, the German element was almost always represented. In Canadian history, however, it was essential. Whether with Cornwallis at Halifax, Simcoe at York or Helmcken in British Columbia, Germans were much more than merely popular as immigrants in Canada. They can be marked as a charter group within the Canadian history.”

“Germans in Canada” is an ambitious 48-minute documentary that sheds new light on a part of history in Canada that everybody presumes to know, but obviously does not. There are a lot more accomplishments of German origin than most Canadians would expect – a story that needs to be told.