Whenever I fantasize about my ideal, utopian future for Quebec, I think of a society in which anglophones are more familiar with the tremendous depth and vitality of francophone culture.
For whatever reason, Quebec has always punched above its weight by producing an impressive amount of cutting-edge artists, writers, filmmakers and musicians—many of whom are still criminally unknown in the rest of Canada and the wider world.
Maybe it's the freedom inherent in French Canada's relative geographic and cultural isolation that allows for a purer, less 'market-driven' form of creativity—a context that is similar, in some respects, to Scandinavian or smaller Central European countries.
Whatever the reason, Quebec's artists have never been afraid to take risks, capturing a viscerally-felt reality and history not shared by the rest of North America.
Unlock Montreal’s stories. Join The Main community.
Read this story free.
Enter your email to unlock your first article and get The Bulletin — our weekly roundup of food, art, and local culture.
- 5 free articles per month
- Save your favourite places & guides
- Weekly newsletter The Bulletin
- Stay connected to Montreal culture
Become an Insider.
Join a community that supports independent Montreal stories and celebrates the people shaping its culture.
Subscribe- Unlimited access to all stories
- Exclusive features & local insights
- Special offers and event invites
- 10% off in our shop
- Support local storytelling
Already a member? Sign in
