02 Jun An incredible intercultural encounter in Montreal: Les chants de l'île [video]
In 2022, Beijing opera duo Aurore Liang and Michelle Jiang were able to showcase their talents when the Maisons de la culture de Montréal teamed up with artist and composer André Pappathomas to stage a large-scale project bringing together 10 choirs, each representing a different country. The project culminated in a huge concert at the Théâtre de Verdure in Montreal's Parc La Fontaine on July 2, 2022, in front of over 2,000 spectators, including Valérie Plante, Mayor of the City of Montreal.
Watch this video clip and witness the universal joy of singing our roots together at this great Montreal gathering.
This is an exciting project that breathes life and meaning into learning French, through enjoyment and celebration. Culture and the promotion of a language can be powerful drivers of integration and belonging, and the Les chants de l'Île project is a fine example of this. Attending a choral performance touches the most noble and inspiring part of ourselves, and the idea of being together regardless of our backgrounds and origins is all the more inspiring," said Valérie Plante, Mayor of the City of Montreal.
In fact, this initiative was awarded the 2023 Social and Environmental Responsibility prize by the RIDEAU association of professional arts presenters.
CREDITS
ARTISTIC AND MUSICAL DIRECTION: André Pappathomas
PROJECT COORDINATION: André Pappathomas et Benoit Gagnon
PRODUCTION : Olivier Arseneault
This project was produced as part of the Entente sur le développement culturel between the Ville de Montréal and the Ministère de la culture et des communications. This project is also part of the City of Montreal's Plan d'action en matière de valorisation de la langue française 2021-2024.
*Sources and other credits :
Culture – Les chants de l’île: valoriser la langue française et la culture par le chant choral et l’inclusion, Ville de Montréal press release.
La Fabrique culturelle, Les chants de l’île : Rencontre interculturelle par le chant et la musique.
