Laval’s Days of Culture back for a twelfth year

Music lovers, curious people, impassioned lovers of culture and amateur cultural buffs will all be well-served with a variety of arts and crafts events that will unfold September 26 to 28.

A new feature this year is the participation of the Laval Symphony Orchestra (OSL). Alain Demers, OSL director-general, said he’s very proud to see the city’s residents getting more and more exposure to the orchestra every year. “The OSL places a lot of emphasis on its community involvement,” he specifies.

The OSL’s September 28 music creativity workshop at the Théâtre des Muses will be animated by composer Tim Brady.

“Our starting point is to make the Days of Culture a time of celebration and of democratization of art and culture,” said Louise Sicuro, president and director-general of the Culture pour tous group, organizers of the Days of Culture program.

Mrs. Sicuro took the opportunity at the press conference to mention the Conservative government’s cuts to funding for cultural programs. “I hope that the major cuts in the culture budget become an election issue for the people,” she stated, adding that the first impact of art and culture is always felt on the human level.

Jocelyne Guertin, member of the executive committee of Laval city council and honourary chairperson of the Journées de la culture de Laval, emphasized the importance of the involvement of city administrations in events such as these, alluding to the absence of municipalities at the start of these annual celebrations, due to reactions from certain artists who distrusted the public’s ability to appreciate art.

“The people are not amateurs, and nearly everything (arts/culture) originates in cities because that’s where the people are,” Mrs. Guertin enthusiastically explained.

The 2008 edition of the Days of Culture will be another opportunity for the people of Laval to delight in a social-cultural contract with artists and artisans through expositions and workshops.

Vacarm, a percussion duo composed of Demetrio Maso and Francis Dumouchel who played at the press conference will also put on a show Saturday, September 27 at the Multicultural Library (1535 Chomedey Blvd.), at which time they will inspire those in attendance to get up and get involved, they promised.

For more information concerning activities in various neighbourhoods of Laval during the festival: (450) 662-4440 or www.ville.laval.qc.ca

Please note that the September 26 TRES Théâtral workshop originally scheduled at the Théâtre du bout de l’Île (1:00 pm-3:00 pm) has been cancelled.



Photo: AngCultureDem/AngCultureFran.jpg

(Photo: Maya – Alarie Photo)

Photo: AngCulture .jpg

(Photo: Maya – Alarie Photo)

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(Photo: Maya – Alarie Photo)