Quebec, Canada’s La Belle Province, is possibly one of the most unique places in the world. Amongst the vast wilderness of this French speaking region are world class cities and cultural delights. Claiming the invention of Poutine, a hearty dish of chips, cheese curds and gravy, and with the world renowned Ice Hotel which is built from scratch each year, a visit here will be nothing short of amazing.
An enormous province, it stretches up into the northern realms of the Arctic and south to the borders of the United States. Arguably, it has the most beautiful and historic city in Canada – Quebec city. Most people live in between the urbanepicentersof Montreal and Quebec City and therefore have access to the amazing beauty and culture of these cities.
Émile Nelligan, one of Montreal’s most renowned poets has enriched the world of writers with titles like Christ en Croix and Le Vaisseau d’Or. Gabrielle Roy, although not born in Quebec, lived there most of her life and received three Governor General’s Awards for her fiction. Contemporary novels like Losing the Dead, a moving story set in post WW II Quebec, is a fantastic, but emotional read. Gail Scott with her Spaces Like Stairs has created a beautiful volume of post modern women writers that is definitely worth a read.
Quebec has an appealing film industry. Remembrance is a short film that won the Jutra in 2002. Another award winning director and writer include Stéphane Lapointe. Based on the book The Traitor and the Jew, Je me souviens (I Remember) is a documentary film that allows a glimpse into antisemitism in Quebec and was written by the Montreal native Eric Richard Scott. A more light-hearted Canadian film shot in Montreal, The Trotsky offers witty humour.
Quebec boasts both traditional aboriginal music and a more contemporary style with the music of Félix Leclerc and his songs 'Moi, mes souliers' (Me, My Shoes) and 'Le tour de l'Île' which led to his induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. Céline Dion is probably the most famous artist that has come out of Quebec for she has reached international super-stardom. Montreal loves its jazz and to share this passion, check out the Montreal International Jazz Festival held in the summer months of every year.