U of T's Hart House celebrates Pride with 3,000 rainbow-coloured paper cranes

June 7, 2018 by Romi Levine - U of T News

The Hart House halls are a little brighter this week with the addition of 3,000 origami paper cranes, hanging in the shape of two rainbow flags, in celebration of Pride month.

It took around 50 people almost two weeks to fold the cranes – including staff, faculty and students – all from the Faculty of Arts & Science. Even Dean David Cameron pitched in some arts and crafts time.

The idea for the colourful displays came from Lucy Chung, director of infrastructure planning for the Faculty of Arts & Science, inspired by senbazuru, a Japanese tradition of stringing together 1,000 paper cranes in order to make a wish come true.

“A folded crane has also become a symbol of hope and healing during challenging times,” Sean Bettam, communications officer for the Faculty of Arts & Science, told The Toronto Star.

The cranes were originally on display in Sidney Smith Hall in 2017, but were given to Hart House for this year’s Pride festivities.

Hart House will be hosting its annual Pride Pub on June 8.

Hundreds of rainbow paper cranes on strings in front of a large window at Hart House.
Cranes in the colours of the rainbow hang from a window at Hart House’s reading room. Photo: Romi Levine.

 

A close up image of rainbow paper cranes hanging in a large window at Hart House.
Photo: Romi Levine.

 

Arts & Science Dean David Cameron, sitting at a table, pointing at a green paper crane he is holding with his left hand.
Faculty of Arts & Science Dean David Cameron folding paper cranes.

 

Orange, blue, green and yellow paper cranes on strings hanging on a door.
Photo: Romi Levine.

 

Hundreds of rainbow paper cranes on strings in front of another large window at Hart House.
Cranes in the colours of the rainbow hang from a window at Hart House’s reading room. Photo: Romi Levine.