Read Abitibi to understand Quebec

12 years ago, Véronique Larouche-Filion and Bruno Turcotte launched Amos tells you, an imposing historico-theatrical journey that allowed thousands of spectators to learn more about the builders of Abitibi and their influence on the history of Quebec. They are now publishing a series of books on the great figures of that time.

First municipality of Abitibi designated city, in 1925, Amos is located at the junction of the Harricana River and the Transcontinental Railway. “The railway was a political issue, because Quebec wanted the train to go through Abitibi, otherwise we wouldn’t board in Canada,” says Véronique Larouche-Filion.

Bruno Turcotte adds. “Abitibi is a cornerstone of the great history of Quebec. Without our region, Quebec would not be what it is today. »

If you were unaware of these realities, you are not alone. “When Bruno asked me questions about the history of Amos, his adopted city, I never knew what to answer, remembers Véronique. I realized that we never talked about our regional and local history in the school curriculum. »

Knowing that many young people in the area dream of leaving the municipality without returning after high school, the two artists looked for a way to create a sense of belonging.

full immersion

This is how the circuit was born during which Amos Deseskers, a fictional 13-year-old teenager full of gab, tells the story of the builders in the four corners of the city. “It’s a complete immersion, says Bruno Turcotte. We move in a geography to discover the municipality. The characters come from both sides. We tell the story in a human and lively way. »

Véronique Larouche-Filion had no desire for a biographical work linking historical dates. “The only way to create a memory in someone is to connect to their emotions,” she says.

The production sometimes involved up to 60 amateur actors and extras of all ages. “The public enjoyed seeing babies, children, teenagers, adults and seniors, from many walks of life. Not just actors in their thirties, whites, Catholics who speak French. »

Proud of the success of the circuit, the last season of which took place in the summer of 2022, the creators could not allow their history to return to oblivion. “Theatre is a double-edged sword with its ephemeral nature: you have to be at the show to enjoy it, underlines Véronique Larouche-Filion. When we were planning the end of the circuit, we were looking for a way to ensure the continuity of this story for future generations. »

A series of books

As young people form her favorite audience, the author has chosen to write children’s books around the main characters of the circuit: Mayor Authier, Captain Yergeau, farmer Croteau, entrepreneur Sicard and Doctor Bigué.

We plunge again into the head of Amos Deseskers who tells us with texts and images – and full of small extratextual comments – the life of these ordinary people who accomplished the extraordinary. “These are people from all over the province who have chosen to settle in the land of all possibilities,” says Mr. Turcotte.

The designer couple did the same in the early 2000s.

“A bit like at the time, when Cécile Lacroix [le sujet du 6^e tome] knew from her parents that there were no milliners in town: she left with her boxes and started her own business. »

After being interested in different sectors of activity such as politics, navigation, agriculture, medicine and entrepreneurship, the creators want to highlight the priest, a Frenchman who became a hotelier and a leading figure of the First Nations.

Their books, of a sought-after visual quality, were designed with the contribution of Catherine Dubé to the illustrations, of Delphie Côté-Lacroix (the illustrator of Simone Simoneau, written by the mayoress of Montreal, Valérie Plante, herself from Rouyn-Noranda in Abitibi) for graphics and mentoring, as well as Geneviève Bigué, descendant of Doctor Bigué. “He’s my great-grandfather,” she says.

Having already done illustrations for Amos tells you in the past, she was quick to contribute to the book on her grandfather. “I was really happy to be able to illustrate the history of my ancestors, says Geneviève Bigué. I had access to family heritage photos to inspire me. Besides, my parents were already fans ofAmos tells you : they went there every summer! »