Exeter visits Québec City!
From the 9th - 13th October 2023 the Québec City of Literature team welcomed over 50 delegates from 34 Cities of Literature for an inspiring week of sharing & collaboration. Exeter was represented by Public Programmes Manager, Liv Hooper.
Above, L-R: The Cities of Literature delegation at the Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations; listening to a video message from Québec City Mayor Bruno Marchand at St Andrew’s Church; listening to poet Jean Désy on the banks of the St Lawrence river; a group photo at Maison de la littérature.
We were shown some of Québec City’s fascinating literary landscape, with tours of the some beautiful libraries and literary houses, such as the Morrin Centre, Maison de la littérature, Bibliothèque Monique-Corriveau, and a look behind the scences of the construction of the new Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy!
Above, L-R: The Morrin Centre with outdoor library; the theatre space at Maison de la litérarature; the inside and outside of Bibliothèque Monique-Corriveau; Nottingham, Barcelona, Exeter, and Norwich preparing for a tour of Bibliothèque Gabrielle-Roy; Cities of Literature hard at work at the Morrin Centre.
We were also privileged to visit Wendake, of the Huron-Wendat Nation, and hear a poetry reading by esteemed Wendat poet Jean Siouï at Librairie Hannenorak. Lunch overlooking the Saint-Charles river by Kabir-Kouba Falls was a treat too!
Above, L-R: The Onywahtehretsih Place Fountain in Wendake; Wendat poet Jean Siouï reading at Librairie Hannenorak; Kabir-Kouba Falls.
In keeping with conference tradition, Cities of Literature delegates donated a children’s book from their city to a local children’s library. Liv presented a copy of Quirk Theatre’s Mary The Pigeon Who Never Gave Up to Deputy Mayor Catherine Vallières-Roland at Centre d’interprétation historique de Sainte-Foy - you may remember the personal connection Liv has with the story of Mary, so this was a very special moment!
Above, L-R: Deputy Mayor Catherine Vallières-Roland speaks to the delegates at Centre d’interprétation historique de Sainte-Foy; Mary takes flight in Quêbec City; group photo of the Cities of Literature and their donated books with the Deputy Mayor.
From pop-up poetry performances to bespoke love poems on old-school typewriters, spoken-word superstar Rachel McCrum to Alto’s Simon Brown (“j'aime les patates mais je n'aime pas la vie” is on perpetual loop in Liv’s head), the taste of Québec City’s live literature scene was more than a little delicious!
It was a joy to see the Toponomy installations at place d'Youville and Château Frontenac, showcasing 29 Cities of Literature. The installations will be in place from 1st September - 30th October in Québec City, before going on tour to other Cities of Literature!
Above, L-R: Poetry pop-ups at place d’Youville and St Andrew’s Church; underground poetry at the Morrin Centre; Rachel McCrum’s Panache at the Morrin Centre; Simon Brown reading poetry in pyjamas at the Morrin Centre; Toponomy at Châtaeu Frontenac.
On Thursday 12th October, Liv delivered a best practice presentation (and ad hoc comedy routine, apparently) on the Partnership Network to a full house of Cities of Literature and members of the local literary community at Maison de la littérature.
Above, L-R: Liv in action representing Exeter; an expectant crowd of Cities of Literature and the local literary community
After the presentations, the whole Cities of Literature delegation were treated to the opening event of Québec en toutes lettres - MULTIVOX - a stunning outdoor performance of dance set to music and poetry, featuring our very own Shaday Barrows-Bayewunmi! Hearing Shaday’s voice broadcast across place d’Youville alongside poets from fellow Cities of Literature was unforgettable.
Listen to Multivox below, and read the original poems here.
Photos of the Multivox performance, taken by David Cannon.
Visiting Québec City was an unforgettable experience and an invaluable opportunity to come together with our Cities of Literature colleagues. The passion and enthusiasm for the power of literature that unites us all was palpable throughout, and being able to share ideas and learn more about each other was truly inspiring.
Hats off to the whole Québec City of Literature team for being such amazing hosts, and showing us the best of Québec City - more than a few of us fell in love with the city and it’s literary scene, and look forward to continuing the conversations and growing the relationships that began there.
25 October 2023
