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Slideshow: Corner Brook unveils sculpture commemorating poet Al Pittman

The city of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, has dedicated a carving and plaque in honour of one of its best-known literary sons: the late poet and playwright Al Pittman.

The monument was unveiled on Thursday as part of a full-day tribute to Pittman, co-founder of Breakwater Books and the March Hare poetry and music festival. The carving was made and donated by Gerald Squires, and was installed as a joint venture between the City of Corner Brook, the March Hare, the Corner Brook Museum and Archives, and a number of private donors.

Pittman spent more than four decades in Corner Brook before passing away in 2001 at the age of 61. His family attended the dedication and appeared at the evening’s events, which involved theatre performances, music, and readings by local authors and Pittman’s daughters, Emily and Kyran.

Emily, in an interview with The Western Star, reflects on the monument:

“There is something special about public remembrance, the same way that people gather on Remembrance Day to acknowledge loss,” Emily said. “I am in really a fortunate position that a lot of people share my loss…. There is something special about getting together with a group of people, whether small or large, and say, ‘I remember him,’ or ‘I remember this about him.’”

Click through the slideshow for photos from the unveiling.

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