It’s time to celebrate Quebec City’s 400th anniversary!

The organizing committee of Quebec City’s 400th anniversary festivities vibrantly invites you to start celebrating… tonight! After years of planning and preparations, our team has put together an attractive calendar of events in order to commemorate in style this historical event.

‘For nearly 8 years now, the organizing committee has been working wholeheartedly in order to celebrate Quebec City in style’, explained Mr. Jean Leclerc, Chairman of the board of the Societe du 400e anniversaire de Quebec. ‘All this time, Quebec’s 400th anniversary seemed distant, ambitious and abstract to some people. But today, only a few hours away from a memorable Kick-Off, everyone can feel the emotion and excitement rising among the team and the population as well. It’s a privilege to be part of this momentous occasion in the history of our city and the world is invited to be a part of the celebration’, concluded Mr. Leclerc.

In 1608, Samuel de Champlain established the first permanent French settlement in North America. With him, a new era began. Thus in 2008, we celebrate the blooming of French culture in the New-World as well as the founding blocks of Canada. Furthermore, for centuries, Quebec City was the point from which many great explorers sailed away on their extraordinary endeavours. In this spirit, thoughout history, our city remained a major entryway for immigrants who sought a better life.

Keeping with those qualities of courage, perseverance and ingenuity, in 2008, Quebec has become a blooming city where avant-garde and history connect and emulate each other. With a budget of 90 million dollars, the organizing committee has orchestrated a calendar that reflect our 21st century society and our hopes for an even brighter future.

Among over 130 meaningful events spread out through the next 10 months, world renowned director Robert Lepage will create a breathtaking Image Mill – the largest multimedia projection ever produced in the world. July will be marked by the fascinating Urban Opera – an amazing blend of street arts and people that represents one of the 9 original productions signed by the organizing committee. The Cirque du Soleil will create an astounding original show. Celine Dion will sing for a hundred thousand people on the Plains of Abraham. Espace 400e will present 120 days of non-stop activity ranging from live music, theater and circus acts to the artistic Ephemeral gardens and an interactive exhibit called ‘Passengers’.

All year long, Quebec City’s key players will present enhanced editions of their events, such as the Quebec Winter Carnival renewing with its fabulous tradition of Winter Wonderland Parade, the Museum of Fine Arts hosting as a world exclusive an unprecedented exhibit of hundreds of the Louvre’s masterpieces, and so on. An impressive list of international conferences and events such as the Sommet de la Francophonie and the Ice Hockey World Championship – a first in North America – will complete some 300 days of celebrations.

But in only a few hours, it will be Kick-Off time! Some 400 artists among which 200 tapdancers, 100 singers and 50 dancers will take the stage by passionate storm on Place d’Youville. Slices of history, comedy, dance and love will light up the place.

Bruno Pelletier, Stephane Rousseau, la Bottine Souriante, Florence K, Claire Pelletier, Les Batinses, Les Violons du Roy and members of the First Nations will perform for 15,000 people in front of Palais Montcalm. The opening show will climax with breathtaking fireworks that will mark the passage into 2008. The inaugural event will be followed by the 400-Year Journey – Interactive tour next January 5 and 6.

It’s now time to celebrate Quebec, a city where people and cultures, nature and urbanity come together with good living and warmth. No matter where you are, come and join in the celebration.

Courtesy of grouptravelblog.com