ROM publishes iconic collection of

Canadian writing to mark its Centennial

Toronto, April 8, 2014 – In celebration of the Royal Ontario Museum’s Centennial, the ROM, in partnership with the Walrus Foundation and House of Anansi Press, proudly present Every Object Has a Story – an anthology featuring twenty-one Canadian writers, artists, filmmakers, poets, and scientists, along with ROM curators and experts, sharing their personal connections with twenty-one extraordinary objects from the ROM’s world-renowned collections.

To highlight some of the Museum’s iconic objects as well as hidden gems, the celebrated authors worked with editors of The Walrus and ROM curators to choose items from the ROM’s collections as inspiration. Highlighted in the compilation are Joseph Boyden’s observations about a Blackfoot war robe found at a Scottish estate sale, and filmmaker Deepa Mehta’s childhood memories of how the Shiva Nataraja’s dance of bliss prompted her to learn the twist. See the rare meteorite that inspires astronaut Chris Hadfield, and read Guy Vanderhaeghe’s reflection on the duckbilled Parasaurolophus walkeri.

“As we celebrate the ROM’s Centennial and reflect on our incredible, encyclopaedic collection, it was important for us to find new ways to share the Museum’s stories and objects beyond our gallery walls,” says Janet Carding, ROM Director and CEO. “This book celebrates some of the natural and cultural masterpieces from the ROM, and with the help of our curatorial experts, as well as the voices of renowned Canadians, this unique collection of writing offers new ways of experiencing the Museum. We are absolutely delighted to partner with the Walrus Foundation and the House of Anansi to create this inspiring, keepsake collection.”

“This is an exciting moment for the Walrus Foundation and for all those who have contributed to Every Object Has a Story,” says John Macfarlane, Editor of The Walrus. “The Walrus is a forum for discussion on matters vital to Canadians, and we strive to promote Canadian talent and ideas in each of our many projects. It has been a privilege to bring together the writing of so many distinguished Canadians in one exceptional book - all in celebration of one of our finest cultural institutions, the ROM.”

Every Object Has a Story, created using iBooks Author, is now available for iPad and Mac for $14.99 exclusively on iBooks at www.iTunes.com/ROM100.

The hard copy is available on April 8, 2014 in ROM Stores and through the Walrus Foundation webstore at http://store.walrusmagazine.com/ for $29.95 ($27 for ROM Members). It will be available in other major bookstores on April 15, 2014.

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