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Today is a solemn anniversary. Thirty-five years ago, a man who called himself Marc Lépine murdered fourteen women at the Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal, leaving a note expressing hatred and disgust for feminists, or at least his warped idea of what and who a feminist actually is. Now known as the Montreal Massacre, it has become a "lest we forget" moment in Canadian history.

Remembering the past may possibly be a precondition for not repeating it, but it's certainly no guarantee of a more enlightened future. Violence towards women and other marginalized groups, as well as intimate partner violence are still at crisis levels, probably worse than they were 35 years ago.

Ten years ago, Ottawa-based musician Elise Letourneau wrote the Requiem for Fourteen Roses to mark the 25th anniversary of the killings. It was issued as a double CD, the first with a choir and solo vocal pieces, the second comprising fourteen instrumental miniatures, one for each woman murdered. You can read the story behind this composition here:

https://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/local-arts/ottawa-composer-elise-letourneau-remembers-the-montreal-massacres-victims-with-music

You can find out more about her at her website, eliseletourneau.com and also on the website of the Alcorn School of Music, where she teaches - www.alcornmusicstudios.ca