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Every year across Quebec, cities, towns, and municipalities unite to celebrate Journées de la Culture. It's a time for citizens to enjoy art, support local artists, and experience enriching cultures. This year, Laval will be celebrating Journées de la Culture from September 25-27 and everyone is invited.
On September 10, Laval city councillor and honorary president of this year's celebrations, Jocelyne Guertin, highlighted the program at the Maison des Arts de Laval located at 1395 De la Concorde ouest. Some forty cultural events will be taking place across the island, holding the doors to culture wide open for everyone wanting a behind the scenes look and to learn about the work of local artists and artisans.
Experiencing culture
"Culture is as essential to society as education, economy, or the environment," said Guertin at the start of the event. The Journées de la culture first began in 1996 with the goal of developing and reinforcing the efforts of cultural democratization in Quebec. Soon the idea of dedicating certain days to the celebration of culture was proposed. In June 1997, the government officially proclaimed the last Friday of September and the following two days to be Journées de la culture.
The event gives citizens the chance to discover and appreciate the arts and culture in their own town - free of charge. It is a unique opportunity which allows encounters between artists and citizens. "Les Journées de la culture have been held throughout Quebec to highlight the importance of making culture and the arts accessible to everyone," said director Louise Sicuro.
Theatre group Bluff did a spoken-word performance of S'embrasent to give those in attendance a taste of what locak artists have to offer. The contemporary group will be performing at Maison des Arts from September 30 to October 2 but will be showcasing a behind the scenes look into what goes into the making of a production on Saturday September 26 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.at Maison des Arts. It is one of many events scheduled for the three-day celebration.
Schedule of events
This year, events will be taking place at the Maison des arts, local libraries, community centres, and art creation and distribution centres. They include theatre performances, art expositions, historical events, and live readings.
Citizens will be able to take part, learn something new, and experience the culture of their own city. "This fall, Lavallers will be able to discover or rediscover local talents, and also learn how they make and create," expressed Guertin. "In the four corners of the city, citizens are all invited and artists will be able to share their talent."
For a great interactive schedule which allows users to see the schedule of events according to their region and by AM, PM, and evening slots, visit www.journeesdelaculture.qc.ca or call 3-1-1. All events are free of charge.