
21st Century Renaissance
Exploring historical and contemporary engagements between art, science, technology, religion, philosophy and ethics
January-December 2016 at The Ismaili Centre, Toronto
Throughout human history societies around the world have seen periods of significant intellectual and cultural renewal. The flowering of creative expression, the embrace of knowledge, and innovative ways of seeing the world are hallmarks of these ‘renaissances’. Such moments also witness social upheaval and political change that challenge traditional institutions, established belief systems and the norms of everyday life. In 2016, the Ismaili Centres in Toronto and Burnaby will host 21st Century Renaissance — a year-long, curated program of lectures, symposia, films, roundtables, exhibitions, performances, workshops and other activities, that explores historical and contemporary engagements between art, science, technology, religion, philosophy and ethics and asks questions about our intensely creative times and the future of humanity in the digital age.
‘Zahir/Batin’ Exhibition Open
Fareena Chanda’s sculptures and mixed media installations take us on a voyage of self discovery and introspection.
1 December-28 December 2016 :: Ismaili Centre Toronto, Exhibition Hall
This website also features programs, events and activities at partner institutions that relate to the 21st Century Renaissance theme.
For event details and tickets click on each event below. Email us at contact@the21st.ca if you have any questions or comments.
For information about the Ismaili Centres visit: www.TheIsmaili.org/ismailicentres.
Directions to the Ismaili Centre, Toronto can be found at the bottom of this page.


Lecture-Inspired by Signs Lecture Series-From Parchment to Screens-Ted Bishop

Workshop-Inspired by Signs Lecture Series-Ink in Arabic and Persian Manuscripts-Ted Bishop

Storytelling–Scheherazade at Tahrir Square-Chirine el Ansary and Tahir Shah

Lecture Series–Islam and Muslims in the 21st Century-Featured Scholars and Journalists

Classical Turkmen Music Days in Canada

Open Doors at the Ismaili Centre Toronto

Maximum City at the Ismaili Centre

Festival of Flight

Rajasthan Josh

Exhibition-Up in the Sky High, 2016-Faisal Anwar

NUIT BLANCHE 2016 PROGRAM-Sensational Words: Power, Beauty & Ephemeral Nature of Words in the Digital Age

NUIT FEATURED EXHIBITION-Char Bagh-Faisal Anwar

NUIT EXHIBITION-Sparks-Virginia Melnyk

NUIT TALK-The Library in the 21st Century-Sandra Singh & Aziza Chaouni

PERFORMANCE-Ayre-Against the Grain Theatre featuring Soprano, Miriam Khalil

Lecture-Inspired By Signs Lecture Series-Greek Astronomy & Islamic Civilization-George Saliba
Getting to The Ismaili Centre, Toronto
The Ismaili Centre, Toronto is located at 49 Wynford Drive, Toronto, Canada. M3C 1K1.
By Car: Southbound: Take the Don Valley Parkway (DVP), exit at Wynford Drive, and turn right. The Ismail Centre is located immediately on the south side of Wynford Drive.
By Car: Northbound: Take the Don Valley Parkway (DVP), exit at Eglinton Avenue westbound, turn right on Don Mills Road, then right again on Wynford Drive. Travel approximately 2 blocks past Gervais Drive. The Ismaili Centre is located on the south side of Wynford Drive.
By Public Transit: The 34C Eglinton East Bus (Grenoble & Spanbridge) toward Flemingdon Park bus, available at Eglinton subway station, stops on Wynford Drive right at the Ismaili Centre (stop: Garamond Court; travel time approx. 25–30 minutes). The 25 Don Mills bus, available at Pape subway station, stops at Don Mills Road and Wynford Drive (stop: Wynford Drive; travel time approx. 20 minutes). The Ismaili Centre is a short walk along Wynford Drive (approx. 5 minutes).