Join us on June 11, in the BMO Community Room of the Halifax Central Library for the screening of two short documentary films about play. These screenings are part of local celebrations recognizing the first official International Day of Play as designated earlier this year by the United Nations General Assembly.
The first documentary on the double bill is The Land (23:00) by American director, Erin Davis who kindly waived fees for this screening. Get ready for a bird’s eye view of play like few in North America have ever experienced.
From the Ludicology blog – a controlled fire at The Land
The Land is an adventure playground active from 2011 in the community of Plas Madoc, Wrexham in northeastern Wales. Over the years it has attracted media attention from the likes of The Guardian and The Atlantic among others. This film is a visual feast featuring independent play and children’s agency as the main courses. Throughout we experience the soft touch, firm when needed, of playworkers – an unknown occupation in Canada, pity… Enough said, come take in a stanza, or two of The Land’s breathtaking poetry of play.
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Next up is, This is why play is so important (15:00) commissioned by Play Wales. I was at its ‘premiere’ last June where it was screened at the conclusion of the International Play Association conference in Glasgow. Pretty much all of the 200+ attendees thought this short was something to jump up and down about.
Play Wales is the national charity for children’s play in Wales. It has established a strong reputation, at home and internationally, for advocacy and for the development and dissemination of high quality, readily available resource material.
Still of children playing at beach in Wales from the short documentary, This is why play is so important (15:00)
In This is why play is so important we hear the first person musings of children on the hows and whys of play interspersed by adults reflecting on childhood memories. This short collage gets to the heart of the matter and positions children right where they should be, in the thick of the conversation.
Children and caregivers in Canada and other jurisdictions would be well served with a resource like this for educatonal and promotional purposes. There would be great similarity in the overall themes but the specifics would differ importantly. A Canadian production would reflect our cultural traditions, our natural and urban landscapes, our climate, our design, our street play, etc. Are we due for a social marketing campaign that will provide a little societal nudge in the direction of more free play, of more play period?
Take a break from your usual lunchtime stroll and join us for a bit of play.
If you are interested in seeing the films at your local library at a later date, get in touch using the blog’s comment feature and we will do our best to accommodate.
If you are interested in getting involved in the planning and/or in helping to run International Day of Play 2025 activities, please contact us at canadaplays@gmail.com.
International Day of Play activities in Halifax and other Nova Scotia communities have been organized by a group of volunteers with modest financial contributions and in-kind support from the organizations below.
Please click image to enlarge
International Play Association – Canada , PlayGroundology, Build Nova Scotia, Halifax, Halifax Public Libraries, Dalhousie University, Healthy Populations Institute, Make Your Move, Nova Scotia Ask, Outdoor Play Canada, Recreation Nova Scotia.
PlayGroundology 