Fewer sites, more activities for Laval's 2007 Days of Culture

Heading the attractions is a large car rally from the Centre de la Nature that will allow participants to discover the many historic and heritage sites found in the eastern part of the island.

The 2007 cultural event reflects a collaborative effort of various groups of different persuasions coming from many sectors of the island. A major event is an evening celebration organized and presented by la Maison nationale et la Prison des Patriotes, in memory of the patriots (of 1837-1838), which includes a guided tour of la Maison Andre-Benjamin-Papineau. This Chomedey locale will also host an exhibit of stone and bronze sculpture put together by l'Atelier de sculpture 213.

As of now, visitors can enjoy the 10th anniversary exhibit of the Quartiers des arts du Cheval Blanc (QACB), put on by the founders of the group which makes its home at the new Centre d'arts visuels et de création de l'ouest de Laval on Arthur-Sauvé Boulevard. "Artists now have an additional place in which to exhibit their work. This new permanent centre will promote the visual arts in Laval west," Sylvie Brazeau, president of QACB, stated to members of Laval's cultural and political communities at the September 11 meeting which released the details of the program for Days of Culture 2007.

Accompanied by pianist Kim Savoie-Thibault, the violin of Laval musician Dominic Guilbault was to be the only ray of sunshine on this dark and rainy Tuesday on which the event was officially launched. The young violinist joined the OSM's Kent Nagano at a special concert last week, but on this Tuesday his renditions of the works of Sain-Saëns and Sarasate gave hints of the festive airs to be expected at this year's Days of Culture. "These days are a bright window for artists, including me. I can pursue my path, in the image of what I learned with Kent Nagano. Beyond his star image, there's the search for truth in music, with the aim of touching people through art," Dominic Guilbault confided.