(Montreal) The Lévesque effect continues to unite and inspire Quebecers. They were several Wednesday evenings at the inauguration of Espace René-Lévesque in Montreal to pay tribute to the Quebec figure who would have celebrated his 100e birthday the same day.
Posted at 8:49 p.m.
Montreal’s Quartier des Spectacles inaugurated Wednesday theEspace René-Lévesque in Montreal: the journey of an exceptional manan adaptation of the museum-garden in New Carlisle on the shores of Baie-des-Chaleurs, where René Lévesque grew up.
The event is part of the Lévesque Year, an initiative of the René-Lévesque Foundation, with the collaboration of Hydro-Québec and the Government of Québec. The Espace René-Lévesque in Montreal propels us into the life of this multi-talented man, through an outdoor exhibition, a video projection and a short documentary film.
“Espace René-Lévesque lives up to its name, an exceptional man larger than life,” said Pierre Karl Péladeau, President and CEO of Quebecor, which is sponsoring the project.
“This is a unique opportunity to grasp the full impact that René Lévesque has had in shaping our collective history and to celebrate Mr. Lévesque’s contribution to the growth of our metropolis”, mentioned Valérie Plante, mayor of Montreal, in a press release.
A man who still inspires
Known as a journalist, war reporter and politician, René Lévesque has inspired more than one: they were there on Wednesday at Place des artistes for the inauguration of Espace René-Lévesque in Montreal.
As honorary president of the Lévesque Year, Lucien Bouchard spoke to Montrealers on Wednesday to pay tribute to him on his birthday. “Beyond the official character, we want to invoke the inspiration and the lover of Quebec”. Died in 1987, the memory of this “unpretentious man” is a “constant reminder of our collective capacity to do great things”, he shared.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Lucien Bouchar at the inauguration of Espace René-Lévesque in Montreal.
“When René Lévesque died, it struck me. I cried while watching television”, mentioned Gilles Duceppe to The Press, present among the spectators of the evening. “This guy has done a lot, a lot,” he added.
According to him, the man, known for telling his people “you’re telling me see you next time” after the first referendum on Quebec independence, continues to inspire the younger generations. “You have to exist, he told us so,” said Gilles Duceppe before joining the video projection at Place des Arts.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Simon Jolin-Barrette at the inauguration of Espace René-Lévesque in Montreal.
“His authenticity, his vigor and his love of citizens have stood the test of time and inspired generations of Quebecers, underlined Simon Jolin-Barrette, Minister of Justice and the French Language, we owe him a lot as Quebecers” .
Without Law 101, introduced in 1977 by Camille Laurin under the power of René Lévesque, the French language would be more in danger, probably extinct today, affirmed Simon Jolin-Barrette.
The urban exhibition makes it possible to explore an important page in the history and soul of Quebec, underlined Hélène Leclère, of Espace René-Lévesque. The exhibition will be held from August 24 to November 10 in the Quartier des spectacles.
L’Année Lévesque also offers various activities elsewhere in Quebec until June 2023, in memory of René Lévesque and to highlight his heritage.