TVA hosts city-wide events to showcase compassionate films, food, and alternatives

Toronto’s first-ever Compassion Week festival – an exploration of compassion for animals through discussion, food and the arts – is set to take place throughout the city on May 28 through June 6, 2010.

Organized by the Toronto Vegetarian Association, Compassion Week will start a conversation about the role animals play in our lives and encourage people to explore compassionate alternatives. There will be fun, thought-provoking events including a head-to-head cook-off event with distinguished Toronto chefs and an all day marketplace with compassionate food, clothing and entertainment.

The following events to take place across the City of Toronto:

The Latest in Nutrition (on facebook)

• Friday, May 28 – An address from physician, author, and internationally recognized professional speaker Dr. Michael Greger, Director of Public Health & Animal Agriculture for Humane Society US at Lillian H Smith Library (239 College St) – 6pm, $8 at the door ($5 for students)

Open Doors at the Resource Centre

• Saturday, May 29 from 12 to 4pm – Stop in for information about the Toronto Vegetarian Association and Compassion Week or for sales on compassion-themed books at the TVA bookstore – FREE

Compassion in Motion (on facebook)

• Monday, May 31 – Witness the lives of animals through three short films and discussion at the Revue Cinema (400 Rancesvalles Ave) – 7pm, $8 at the door

Cook Like You Give a Damn

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  POSTPONED – Join two accomplished Toronto chefs who prove it is possible to celebrate your culinary passion and still live a life of compassion. Doug McNish (Raw Aura) and Joshna Maharaj (ROM’s Food Studio) at St. Lawrence Market Kitchen (93 Front St, South Market) – 7pm, $25 advance

Compassion Marketplace (on facebook)

• Sunday, June 6 – A one-day festival with compassionate food, clothing, entertainment and ideas at Artscape Wychwood Barns (601 Christie St) – 11am to 7pm, FREE

“People in Toronto care about animals,” says David Alexander, Executive Director of the Toronto Vegetarian Association. “We’re convinced that the more people learn about animals and how they’re treated, the more determined they will become to take action to seek out compassionate alternatives.”

With the popularity of books like Food Matters (Mark Bittman) and Eating Animals (Jonathan Safran Foer), and films like Food, Inc, more and more questions are being raised about the state of the current food system in North America and what it means for animals, our health and the planet.

Join us in this celebration of compassion through great food and the arts!

Visit compassionweek.ca for full scheduling and more information.