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The Vari Gate is officially inaugurated at The Vimy Foundation Centennial Park in Vimy, France.

Date published:

April 7, 2022

The Vari Gate is officially inaugurated at The Vimy Foundation Centennial Park in Vimy, France.

April 8th, 2022 – Vimy, France – The Vimy Foundation

 

On April 8th, 2022, The Vimy Foundation inaugurated The Vari Gate, in the Vimy Foundation Centennial Park, in the presence of Helen Vari and the Vari family, and French and Canadian dignitaries, including the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada. Part of the park’s exterior wall, a perfect circle that symbolises unity, the gate is the main access to the Centennial Park for thousands of Canadian and European yearly visitors.

The Vimy Foundation Centennial Park, opened in 2018 to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, is a reflective space for visitors to Vimy. It was built on formerly private farmland, purchased by the Vimy Foundation in 2016, and designed by notable Canadian landscape architect Linda Dicaire. The park is home to 100 “Vimy Oaks”, the descendants of acorns that were brought back from France by a Canadian soldier at the end of the war and planted in Scarborough, Ontario.

 

Donated by the George and Helen Vari Foundation, the Vari Gate is an important architectural element of the Centennial Park. It also highlights the history of the Vari Family, who distinguished itself by major contributions to several causes, including veterans and education. Helen Vari is also a long-time partner to the Vimy Foundation, which she has supported for many years, notably as honourary co-chair of the 2017 centennial of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

 

As a Grand officer of the Ordre national de la Légion d’Honneur, she also tirelessly advocated for the Canada-France friendship. This commitment to a Canadian-owned commemorative park in France follows along the same line.

 

George W. Vari, born in Hungary, arrived in Canada in 1957. “We came to Canada with nothing, Canada gave us everything” he once said. Mr. Vari and his wife, Helen, gave significantly to Canada.

 

Quotes

“When you step for the first time on Vimy soil, you are filled with emotion. You see all the beauty and sadness that permeate this place. And you know you are among friends. People who today reside in the area still remember what happened at Vimy and are thankful of what Canadians achieved there. You can imagine how proud we are to contribute to this very important historical cause.”

- Helen Vari, Grand officier de la Légion d’honneur, President of the George and Helen Vari Foundation.

“The Vimy Foundation is honoured today to host Madame Helen Vari at the official opening of the Vari Gate of the Vimy Foundation Centennial Park. The George and Helen Vari Foundation has, for years, been a very generous partner of the Vimy Foundation, including helping us build the Vimy Visitor Education Centre along with the Government of Canada. Today, the generosity of the 'Empress of Vimy' extends to the Vimy Foundation Centennial Park, for which the Vari Gate will play a central role.”

- Christopher Sweeney, CEO, ZSA Recruitment, chair, The Vimy Foundation.

Read the French full press release here.

Read the English full press release here.

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This handcrafted pin dish, created exclusively for the Vimy Foundation, features the image of a poppy—an enduring symbol of remembrance. Designed and hand-thrown by acclaimed Canadian sculptor Christian Corbet, each ceramic piece is a limited edition. Ideal for holding pins, jewelry, or small keepsakes, the dish is both functional and commemorative. A meaningful addition to any collection, it pays tribute to the legacy of those who served. Hand-thrown ceramic Features original poppy design by Christian Corbet Approximately 8.5 cm wide Made in Canada Limited edition

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⚠️ Please note: This item is not sold or shipped by the Vimy Foundation and is only available through the Gentleman Rogue website. 👉 Please visit their site to purchase directly from Gentleman Rogue. https://gentlemanrogue.ca/collections/rogue-defender-1/Pocket-Squares This elegant silk scarf from Gentleman Rogue’s Rogue Defender Series pays tribute to the courage and legacy of those who fought at the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Designed with the colours of the four Canadian divisions that served together for the first time during the 1917 offensive, the scarf blends historical symbolism with timeless style. 100% Silk
Part of the Rogue Defender Series
20% of proceeds from this item are donated directly to the Vimy Foundation

Gentleman Rogue Silk Scarf – Rogue Defender Series

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Dogs have been used in war for centuries worldwide. Their duties have ranged from pulling carts, sentries, scouts, messengers, as mascots, rat catchers in the trenches, search and rescue, bomb detectors and first aid dogs. Countless stories of incredible heroic acts performed by these animals have been told throughout the First World War and beyond. Dogs continue to be put to work in military service to this day as their role expands to include service animals for veterans. The Vimy Foundation partnered with Dog Hair INCluded (Montreal) to design these quality and durable bandanas featuring our Vimy Plaid. Honor those four-legged friends who also helped shape our history with this rugged and stylish pet bandana.

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