The merchant administration defended its decision to demand that street musicians sing in French on two sites in Old Quebec, invoking the importance of promoting the French fact in the national capital, in response to opposition criticism.
“It is less than 4% of the sites where people are asked to do [de la musique] in French. It doesn’t censure anyone, it’s just to say: “Here, we live in French.” And we’re going to assume that. […] Yes, we will be proud of our language, we will be proud of the French fact and we will highlight it in two sites. ”
The debate was launched by the Quebec Priority Team leader, Stevens Mélançon, who criticized the pilot project which forces musicians to sing in French this summer on two of the 52 sites in Old Quebec, Place Royale and Félix-Leclerc Park. The city justified its gesture in particular by mentioning the membership of the UNESCO heritage.
«Village francophone»
“The UNESCO ranking has never been limited to the language. There is talk of colonial history, fortified architecture, an exceptional urban whole, not a French-speaking village closed on itself, “said Mélançon.
He said that limiting languages on these sites could prevent indigenous people from singing in these places, describing this as “facade nationalism”.
English to attract tourists
The head of the opposition, Claude Villeneuve, added that he is not against the intention, but that he considers that it is “counterproductive”. He believes that tourists must be attracted with English -speaking music and then integrate French.
“I think that’s more like that we bring it, our music. A little bit in small bites. Because to use the expression used in other contexts, you cannot invite someone to a party and force them to have fun. ”
The executive advisor responsible for culture, Catherine Vallières-Roland, has insurgent before these remarks. “I do not believe my ears to hear my colleagues intervene in this way without being defenders themselves and registering in line with the people who preceded us and who contributed to this preservation of the French fact.”
Former mayors
She recalled that the merchant mayor is part of several mayors of Quebec who have promoted the French fact a priority, citing Jean Pelletier, Jean-Paul L’Allier and Régis Labeaume.
The mayor of Quebec was also arrested in the council meeting by an artist who asked him to revise the pilot project, to show tolerance this summer and to consult the artists. Mr. Marchand assured that the artists will be consulted, but decided: “For this summer, no, we will not change the pilot project.”
