Literature Takes Its Place in the Spotlight in Québec City

The Government of Canada supports the 8^th Québec en toutes lettres festival and the annual programming of the Maison de la littérature

QUEBEC CITY, Sept. 20, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage, today announced $12,500 in funding for the Institut Canadien de Québec. This funding will support the presentation of the 8^th Québec en toutes lettres festival, which takes place from October 21 to 29, 2017, as well as the 2017–18 programming of the Maison de la littérature.

This support, provided by the Government of Canada through the Canada Arts Presentation Fund, will make it possible for the public to discover the vast world of literature through activities that highlight up-and-coming writers, authors of graphic novels, children's writers, storytellers and artists from other disciplines like music and visual arts.

Quotes

"Every year, Québec en toutes lettres successfully engages the public's passion for literature by helping them discover writers with extraordinary talent. Our authors feed our imagination and help enrich our society. We are proud to support an event that gives them all the respect they deserve."

—The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Canadian Heritage

"I am proud that our government is supporting the eighth edition of the Québec en toutes lettres literary festival. Performances, readings and meetings with authors will invite a new audience to deepen their interest in literature. It's a very interesting event that also gives authors an opportunity to meet their readers in Québec City. I congratulate the organizers for putting together such a dynamic program."

—The Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament (Québec)

"Writing about Quebec means, of course, writing about Quebéc City—a city of the imagination, embellished by fiction or transformed by poetry. It's writing about the Quebéc City, with an array of authors and writings that convey the richness of literature today. It's also a tribute to writers from Quebéc City, of all ages, who will take over various locations and create opportunities to meet the public, through the energy, joy and intelligence of literature."

—Bernard Gilbert, Director, Maison de la littérature and the Québec en toutes lettres festival

Quick Facts

The Institut Canadien de Québec offers the people of Québec City a literary festival and annual literary programming at the Maison de la littérature. It also plays an important role in the development of literary arts for youth by offering them free activities in various libraries in the city.

The 8^th Québec en toutes lettres festival will take place from October 21 to 29 with the theme "Écrire Québec" [Writing about Québec City]. A host of special activities are planned for the occasion, including shows, readings and author meet-and-greets. The event, which attracts 25,000 people each year, will begin with two special days dedicated to youth and families, and it will also include an Indigenous component that explores the Algonquin origins of the word Québec.

The festival will be held in downtown Québec City, mainly at Maison de la littérature, the Chapelle du Musée de l'Amérique francophone, and in libraries in various neighbourhoods throughout the city. Projections on façades, exhibits on street furniture, writing on windows, and original bus tours will bring literature into the public space, outside of the traditional channels.

The 2017–18 season of the Maison de la littérature will include numerous activities, including poetry slams, readings, story and legend nights, as well as literary and musical performances. More than 100,000 people are expected to attend throughout the year, including 20,000 for the literary activities.

Associated Links

Québec en toutes lettres (French only)     
Canada Arts Presentation Fund

SOURCE Canadian Heritage