Watch the Global Halifax Evening News at 6 p.m. from Feb. 17-21 to see all of Natasha Pace’s reports on the Miss Ally tragedy and safety issues in the fishing industry. Click here to see the ones that have already aired.
LUNENBURG, N.S. – The sinking of the Miss Ally has left a lasting impact for fishing communities across the region, making Maritimers feel connected to each other.
One Nova Scotia woman whose family has a long history in the fishing industry has just debuted The Seafarers Requiem, a tribute to those lost at sea.
“The requiem traditionally, years ago, used to be a requiem mass for people who have died, but in the 20th century, it’s become a tribute and an honour,” said Mary Knickle, the composer of the piece.
READ MORE: One year later: Miss Ally crew remembered
Knickle began work on the requiem last January — a month before the Miss Ally capsized, killing all five young men aboard. She said the tragedy pushed her to complete the work.
“It hit home to everyone,” she said. “That fueled it, it was like ‘Yes, I’m going to do it.’ I just plowed on through.”
The requiem brings together various elements, including a chorus, stories and poems about seafarers and Celtic-style songs.
It recently debuted in both Lunenburg and Halifax to sold-out performances, with hundreds of people watching.
READ MORE: Focus on safety at sea becoming priority since Miss Ally tragedy
“The stories are profound, the people who are reading the stories are from this area,” Knickle said.
She said she believes many small fishing communities across the Maritimes will see their reflection in the piece.
- Roll Up To Win? Tim Hortons says $55K boat win email was ‘human error’
- Ontario premier calls cost of gas ‘absolutely disgusting,’ raises price-gouging concerns
- Bird flu risk to humans an ‘enormous concern,’ WHO says. Here’s what to know
- Election interference worse than government admits, rights coalition says
Comments