This year, 2025, is the golden anniversary of my immigration to Canada. For fifty years I have enjoyed the opportunities, the welcome, the beautiful landscapes, and the social security that this country provides.
In that time I have been through a lot of changes. I got married, had two children, went back to university (twice!), changed jobs, moved often, and enjoyed personal and professional success. I initially went through a few years of homesickness for my family back in England, I have sometimes made life-changing decisions that scared me, and I have had to adjust to some unexpected events, but over all I have never regretted my move to Canada. This country and its people have been very good for me and to me.
2025 is also the golden anniversary of the rock classic Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen. This song has become an anthem that blends poetry, opera, rock, pop, realism, and fantasy all in one spell-binding narrative that draws us all in. It touches on issues of minorities, sexualities, crimes, families, unconventional art, relationships and, above all, changes. Big personal and societal changes. Thunderbolt and lightning, very very frightening. That was what 1975 was like for me.
Bohemian Rhapsody in some ways underpinned the next few years of my life. It made it OK to be different, to attempt the unconventional, and to try to express my individuality while at the same time trying to fit in. There was nothing ordinary about Queen, but they strutted their stuff with confidence and originality. They called on us not only to accept their nonconformity but to celebrate it, and we did.
My own nonconformity was relatively tame. I was white and spoke English so my adjustments were minor compared to many immigrants. Even so, I was stared at for wearing short skirts and teased for my accent. My first boss called me “Bean” because the (upper class) English people he saw in films called each other “Old Bean.”
The everyday details of Canadian life, such as customs around food and drink, socializing, and so on, all took a long time for me to adjust to. I was confused to realize that men and women separated into different rooms at house parties, and I tried unsuccessfully to mix them up! I was also bewildered by ice hockey that moved much too fast for me to follow, but I did learn to ice-skate within about a year.
As I look back on the last fifty years I realize that my life has in some ways blended a lot of the themes, forms, ideas, and ideals of Bohemian Rhapsody. It has been about change, difference, and acceptance, and I am glad for all of it.
Snowbird of Paradise 
Anne: That is a big milestone. Congratulations. I’m glad you like it here .I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. Barb
Thanks, Barb. I would not want to live anywhere else, either!
Congratulations on 50 years – we’re glad you came.
As for the split gender rooms at parties, I just barge into the male conversations and sometimes other women join me…but I do not care if they don’t 🙂
Thanks, June. I tried to do that, back in the day, but some women thought I was after their men!
I hear you! It’s easy to say ignore them but harder to put into practice 😉
Congratulations
Thank you, Sheree.
In four years I will celebrate my 50th living in South Africa, however I have been giving thought to moving back to Europe.
We shall see…
I did see Queen live here many moons ago.
Sun City. One of the best concerts I have been to. Phenomenal show.
Lucky you for having seen Queen live! That will have been very memorable.
It was. Not least because the previous night’s show had to be canceled llbecause of a problem with Freddy’s throat.
I really enjoyed reading this blog, Anne. Beautifully written. I love the way you tie your experience to Queen’s iconic song.
Re the separation of men and women at social events: maybe it had something to do with the segregation in bars up until the 1960s, at least in Alberta. I still remember a time when there were separate entrances for women and men (though I think mingling was allowed once inside?).
Glenn and I have recently moved to an age controlled condominium complex that has a building for community social events/games/etc. We’ve attended just a couple of evening potlucks and were surprised and a little disappointed to see that men and women were sitting at different tables. Each time, Glenn and I both sat with the women. At one point a man came over and suggested to Glenn that he join the men’s table, where the conversation was more interesting! He politely declined.
So the segregation persists!
Thanks for an interesting and provocative piece, Anne. Cheers!
Thank you, Nancy. I had not experienced the social separation of the sexes before coming to Canada. There used to be segregation in pubs in England, too, but when I was in my early 20s they were open to everyone.
I, too, enjoyed the comparison of Bohemian Rhapsody with your huge life change. And I still enjoy listening to the song. It stands the test of time, in my opinion.
(The year 1975 was a big one for me too. I graduated from high school and went to college in the fall. About this time of year, come to think of it.)
Thanks, Lorna. It’s that time of the year! On the cusp of something new being cultivated. 🙂
Ohh, yes! I like it!
Hi Anne, Great collaborative perspective on your 50 years in Canada with the same years of Bo Rhapsody. I was so glad that you were able to hear my rendition of that iconic piece of music. Best to you.!!
Thank you, Duke. And thank you for the inspiration for this blog post.