The 4th edition of La grande nuit de la poésie de Saint-Venant-de-Paquette took place last weekend. Starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, nearly 1,500 people and some forty artists gathered for a marathon of “12 hours of uninterrupted poetry.” Readings, slam, songs, open mics: there was no shortage of action in this small town in the Eastern Townships, located a stone’s throw from the American border. Our photographer Marie-France Coallier was there.
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On the church stage, one of the three venues operating during the event, two authors present their works: Félix Perkins presents his collection “Boiteur des bois”, and Maya Cousineau Mollen, “Enfants du lichen”. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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A participant lounges on the grass near the facilities of La grande nuit de la poésie. The absence of cellular network in almost all the places makes the place conducive to relaxation and contemplation. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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Visitors consult the program of the Great Night of Poetry next to the Maison de l’Arbre. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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An open mic workshop at the Tree House, one of the event’s three stages Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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Poets Joséphine Bacon and Jean-Christophe Réhel performed on the church stage as a duo and as part of the opening show, hosted by David Goudreault and Jean-François Létourneau. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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In the church, packed to the second floor, the audience expressed their appreciation of the spectacle. The church was built in 1877. Today it houses a museum. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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A fine line-up of artists accompanied singer-songwriter Richard Séguin (on guitar) on the church stage, including Janie Caron, Vincent Vallières, Salomé Leclerc, Mélanie Noël, Luce Dufault, Étienne Coppée and Guillaume Arsenault. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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The audience is attentive in the pews of the village church. The small municipality in the Coaticook MRC had 69 inhabitants in 2021, according to Statistics Canada. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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Under the big top, the poet Raoul Duguay delivers a performance based on his work “Réveiller le rêve”. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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A cow watches with interest the passers-by who take the Poetic Path, a route that connects nature and poetry. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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Chalk and blackboards are available to people walking the Poetic Trail. Activities on the program for The Great Night of Poetry include poetry karaoke and a “poets’ corn roast.” Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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Chalks and blackboards available to people walking the poetic trail. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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On the church stage, David Goudreault (right) introduces the poet Jean-Paul Daoust. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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Festival-goers take a moment to rest near the church of Saint-Venant-de-Paquette. The great night of poetry offered 36 separate events that spanned 12 consecutive hours. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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Slam poet Guy Perreault at the church window after his brilliant performance. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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David Goudreault presents the poet Jean-Christophe Réhel at the church of Saint-Venant. Marie-France Coallier The Duty
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