Hollywood has its Oscars and Mississauga has its Freddys.
Mayor Hazel McCallion accepted the first Freddy in honour of the contribution she has made to the arts in Mississauga and Canada at a special celebration of composer and pianist Frederick Chopin's 198th birthday yesterday at the John Paul II Polish Cultural Centre on Cawthra Rd.
Greg Glista, the Mississauga resident who is coordinating the fundraising for the week-long Chopin Festival that will be held in Mississauga in 2010 for the composer's 200th birthday, told The News, "we decided to make our fundraising different and exciting," by inaugurating the Freddys.
"We named the award after Frederick Chopin, and we were looking to honour someone who has made a significant contribution to the arts."
McCallion was chosen as the first recipient because she has been a great supporter of the arts and the John Paul cultural centre, where the awards were held, said Glista.
The mayor spearheaded construction of the Living Arts Centre, which opened in the city centre a decade ago, and has raised more than $2 million with her annual gala. Many of those funds have gone to the arts, noted Glista.
The 2010 festival, which will host the annual Canadian competition to select contestants for the Chopin competition in Poland, will offer a series of additional concerts, lectures and presentations in Mississauga.
McCallion, who was surprised to learn she had won the first Freddy, said she always looks forward to visiting the John Paul Centre and Maximilian Kolbe church. "Thank you to the Polish people who have made such a major contribution to this city and to the country," said McCallion.
Then, making a nod towards the official representative of the government of Poland who was sitting in the audience, the mayor said, "Mr. Consul-General, just send more Polish people this way."
She received a standing ovation after her short speech.
Guests were also treated to a recital by Dr. Janet Lopinski of the Royal Conservatory of Music, who wrote her PhD thesis on Chopin. She not only spoke about his music and his life, but, along with vocalist Tina Torlone, presented a selection of his works.
Lopinski has performed as soloist and chamber musician in Canada, Europe, and the United States. She has been active across the country as an adjudicator, examine, and workshop clinician.
jstewart@mississauga.net
