The Man with Two Hats - Ottawa, Ontario
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N 45° 23.870 W 075° 42.320
18T E 444795 N 5027388
The Man with Two Hats, donated to Canada by the Netherlands, is located in Commissioner's Park, Dow's Lake, Ottawa, Ontario.
Waymark Code: WMDDDQ
Location: Ontario, Canada
Date Posted: 12/29/2011
Views: 31
On Saturday, May 11, 2002, Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet unveiled a replica of The Man With Two Hats' monument in Commissioner's Park, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
The original "Man with Two Hats" scuplture was unveiled by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet on May 2, 2000, near Het Loo Palace in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, before thousands of Canadian veterans.
The monument, which was sculpted by Dutch artist Henk Visch, is made of bronze and measures 4.6 metres in height. Princess Margriet was born in Canada during the Second World War and her youngest son, Prince Floris, is the Godchild of the Royal Canadian Legion. The date early in May is significant as it falls shortly after May 5, the anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands, and May 8, the anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
The monument symbolizes the historic bonds between Canada and the Netherlands. It is a mysterious figure which, from a distance, seems to be waving both hands with a hat in each one. Close up, the figure looks melancholic. It evokes feelings of the joy of liberation subdued by the memory of the war's many victims, and symbolizes the enduring legacy of Dutch gratitude to Canadians.
A plaque erected next to the monument reads as follows:
"During the Second World War, Canadian soldiers played a crucial role in the liberation of the Netherlands. With the donation of this monument - an expression of joy and a celebration of freedom - the Netherlands pays lasting tribute to Canada.
A statue identical to this one stands in Apeldoorn in the Netherlands. The twin monuments symbolically link Canada and the Netherlands; though separated by an ocean, the two countries will forever be close friends.
Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands unveiled the monument in Ottawa on May 11, 2002, and the other in Apeldoorn on May 2, 2000.
Artist: Henk Visch
Country or International City that Gave the Gift: The Netherlands
Country or International City that Received the Gift: Canada
Website Verifying this Item as a Gift from Another Country or International City: [Web Link]
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