By Carol Timblin
Picturesque Quebec City, founded by Samuel de Champlain in 1608 overlooking the narrowest point of the St. Lawrence River, is going to be 400-years-old on July 3. Celebrations have been ongoing since New Year’s Eve and will continue through year’s end.
“Our mission…is to make sure that 2008 will be remembered far and wide as a year of discovery and encounters,” said Daniel Gelinas, who’s in charge of the year-long birthday party.
He expects more than 300,000 visitors to attend the festivities this year in Quebec City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of North America’s top tourist destinations. For pop diva Celine Dion, who will give a free concert in August on the Plaines de Abraham, the celebration will be a homecoming.
The people and institutions of Quebec City have played an important role in planning and staging the event, according to Gelinas.
“We've asked all annual events and festivals to join in with special projects that they've never done before,” he said. “We've also asked all the cultural institutions to come up with unique projects, and we asked everyone in the city who would have a special idea to propose their projects. So there is a part of everyone in the celebrations, and it means a lot to the citizens. And I hope this anniversary means a lot to all Canadians. After all, Quebec City is where it all started for us.”
Espace 400e
The new Grand Square of Espace 400e, a reclamation sustainable development in Bassin Louise in the Old Port area, is the official site of the birthday celebration. Between June 10 and Sept. 28, it promises to be a hub of activities, meetings and encounters. A huge pavilion will house an exhibit on Quebec City’s past, present and future -- produced in conjunction with the Musee de la Civilization. Quebec City’s history will also unfold through a series of performances, shows and conferences at Espace 400e.
Another major attraction in Espace 400e will be the Passengers Exhibition, showcasing the five million people – Amerindians, French, English, Irish, Scottish, Chinese, Romanian, German, Haitian, and African -- who have lived and still live in Quebec City.
The Huron-Wendat Nation, First Nations’ host for the anniversary, will bring together various nations of Quebec, Labrador and Canada for an extravaganza entitled Kiugwe showcasing their culture, beginning on July 18. There will also be exhibitions of First Nations’ arts and crafts during August and September.
The Image Mill, a three-dimensional exhibit that will be projected on the port’s grain elevators through July 29, will focus on the city’s history. It is considered the largest outdoor architectural project ever created. And an all-night party on the St. Lawrence River will follow The Walking Road, a multi-media show, on Aug. 15.
The Ephemeral Gardens are an essential component of Espace 400e. A unique series of multi-sensory gardens built especially for the 400th anniversary center on the contributions of people who have impacted Quebec City over its long history. More than 250 proposals for gardens were submitted in a juried competition, but only 11 were chosen as finalists. The gardens of Bois-de-Coulonge will also be abloom with 10,000 tulips, a gift from the National Capital Commission, the official gardener of Canada’s Capital Region.
Espace 400e is a great example of Quebec City’s efforts to leave a lasting legacy long after the celebration is over. Another is the development of the Promenade Samuel de Champlain (green space) along the St. Lawrence River.
“We wanted to give back access to the river as a gift to the citizens and visitors,” explained Gelinas. “The promenade is a 2.5 kilometer park, where people will be able to enjoy the river. You will find an observation tower, bicycle paths and pedestrian paths. The Government of Canada is also working on revamping three acres to give access to the river.”
Special Cultural Events
One of the most important exhibits of the anniversary celebration is The Louvre in Quebec: The Arts and Life, a collection of paintings, sculptures, art objects and antiquities from The Louvre in Paris. Scheduled through Oct. 26, it is the result of a collaboration between The Louvre and the Musee National des Beaux Arts du Quebec.
The celebration will also involve other arts groups of Quebec City.
Hotels and Restaurants
Quebec City boasts more than 12,000 hotel rooms and 1,000 restaurants specializing in French and other cuisines from around the world. Though reservations are always a good idea, Gelinas said “there is no rush to book your room” because the program of activities is spread over a 10 month period of time.
For the complete program of activities visit www.MyQuebec2008.com, or call Quebec City Tourism at 1-877-BONJOUR.
Highlights:
July 3-5 – 400th Birthday of Quebec Anniversary Celebration
July 3-13 -- Quebec City Summer Festival
July 19-Aug. 6 – International Fireworks Competition
Aug. 22 – Celine Dion and other artists (to be announced) free concert on the Plaines de Abraham
Aug. 14-24 – The Quebec City International Festival of Military Bands |
