Canada’s most famous modern explorer to drop anchor at the Canadian Museum of Civilization

Posted on: 06/05/2011

Canada’s most famous modern explorer to drop anchor
at the Canadian Museum of Civilization

Gatineau, Quebec, May 3, 2011 — As part of the Civilization Lecture Series, the Canadian Museum of Civilization invites you to a special evening with Jean Lemire, Canada’s most famous modern explorer.

On Thursday, May 12 at 7 p.m., join us at the Museum’s Theatre to hear this award-winning filmmaker and environmental biologist discuss his numerous expeditions, including a sojourn of more than a year in the Antarctic.

Antarctic Mission became one of the greatest expeditions in modern history, with 430 days of sailing, isolation and extreme adventures in the inclement climate of Antarctica. In 2005, on board Sedna IV and accompanied by a team of sailors, filmmakers and scientists, Jean Lemire undertook his greatest adventure to date, tackling the world’s last continent: Antarctica.

An Evening with Jean Lemire,
Canada’s Most Famous Modern Explorer
Thursday, May 12
7 p.m. (French with simultaneous translation into English)
Theatre
Environmental biologist and award-winning filmmaker and Jean Lemire will describe some of his expeditions, including the 430-day sojourn in the Antarctic. Tickets in advance $20; $18 for Museum Members, students and seniors; $25 on the day of the event. Tickets are available at the Museum Box Office or by calling 819 776-7000 (service charges apply).
Don’t miss this unique opportunity to meet Jean Lemire before he sets off again. In fact, Lemire and his team will set sail on the Sedna IV this summer for another adventure. The goal of their new mission, 1,000 Days for the Planet, is to document  the incredible beauty and wealth of species that live on this planet, as well as to bear witness to the state of the biosphere and its relationship with humanity. Along with scientists and a film crew, Lemire will seek out field researchers working to protect species and habitats around the world.The Sedna IV’s team members will begin their great voyage in the Americas before heading to Asia and Africa.
Biography

A biologist by trade, Jean Lemire has accumulated more than 20 years of experience in the field of marine biology. In 1987, he began a parallel career in film. He has since written, produced and directed numerous documentaries on marine mammals, the marine universe, art and nature.

In 2002, he produced Arctic Mission, a collection of five documentaries and a feature film, which chronicles the effects of climate change in the Arctic. Three years later, Lemire set out for the Antarctic on Sedna IV. A four-episode documentary series, called Antarctic Mission, was produced about this adventure. Lemire directed the fourth episode, The Last Continent.

Lemire has won several honours over the years. In 2004, he received a Gold Medal from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. In 2007, he was named an Officer of the Order of Canada and received the illustrious Citation of Lifetime Achievement from the Canadian Environment Awards. In 2009, the United Nations appointed him Honorary Ambassador for