日落時的加拿大博物館The Canadian museum at sunset
偶遇人物雕像 Coming Across a Statue of a Person
博物館正門The main entrance of the museum
博物館立體結構圖3D model of the museum
沙畫作品 sand animation
說到參觀博物館，在美國和加拿大旅行時意外發現原來很多博物館、美術館、動物園等場所都有免費時段可以參觀，有的是本身就提供開放時段，有的則是可能透過和某些機構(例如銀行)合作可以免費參觀，相較於在台灣，不太可能出現免費參觀的情況(除了一定年紀的小孩例外)，就算是年長者等特殊群體也最多給予折扣，所以在國外旅行時，我也滿喜歡多逛逛博物館，尤其是免費開放時段通常也是人潮最少的時間，所以不用害怕人擠人，可以悠閒地逛。
在加拿大旅行期間也算是拜訪了幾次人權博物館，一般成人入場費用約20加元，但因為星期五晚上時段可以免費入館，所以無形中也激勵參觀比較多次，館內展覽包含10個涉及人權的主題，加上整個館有8層樓，所以只參觀一次也是看不完的，如果想看遍所有展覽，非常建議多來個幾次。
由於之前都是晚上到訪，所以完全沒拍到人權博物館外型的白天照片，所以在離開加拿大前，趁著某日的天色未暗，終於拍到博物館的真面目了，據說此建築物的設計理念來自於加拿大草原、冰川和等山脈等自然地貌，但神奇的是，遠遠看它的外型有點像一隻白鴿正以雙翼環抱自己，剛好白鴿也有和平的意思，和博物館以人權為主題，居然巧合地不謀而合了。
如果想更了解這棟博物館的建築，一樓的入口大廳可以看到完整博物館立體結構圖，立體圖其實把整個建築還原地相當不錯，連四周造景也一併納入，也不失為一個賞心悅目的藝術品，另外立體結構圖旁也有臨時展覽區，牆壁放映著歡迎參觀博物館的沙畫，也非常值得佇足靜靜觀賞。
When it comes to visiting museums, I was surprised to discover while traveling in the U.S. and Canada that many museums, art galleries, zoos, and similar attractions offer free admission periods. Some have designated free hours, while others partner with institutions like banks to provide complimentary entry. This is quite different from Taiwan, where free admission is rare—except for young children in certain cases. Even for seniors or other special groups, discounts are the most they can expect. That’s why, when traveling abroad, I enjoy visiting museums, especially during free admission hours. These periods often coincide with the least crowded times, allowing for a more relaxed and enjoyable visit.
During my travels in Canada, I had the opportunity to visit the Canadian Museum for Human Rights several times. Regular adult admission costs around 20 CAD, but on Friday evenings, entry is free. This definitely encouraged me to visit more often. The museum features ten themed exhibits on human rights, spread across eight floors—far too much to explore in just one visit. If you want to take in everything, I highly recommend going multiple times.
Since my previous visits were all in the evening, I never had the chance to capture a daytime photo of the museum’s exterior. Before leaving Canada, I finally managed to snap a picture of the building before nightfall. The architectural design is said to be inspired by Canada’s natural landscapes, including prairies, glaciers, and mountains. Interestingly, when viewed from a distance, the building resembles a dove embracing itself with its wings. Since doves symbolize peace, this unintentionally aligns with the museum’s human rights theme in a truly poetic way.
For those interested in learning more about the building’s design, the entrance hall on the first floor features a detailed 3D model of the museum. The model does an excellent job of replicating the structure, even including the surrounding landscape, making it a piece of art in itself. Nearby, there’s also a temporary exhibition area where a sand animation is projected onto the wall, welcoming visitors to the museum. It’s well worth pausing for a moment to watch and appreciate the artistry.