Neighbourhoods Come Alive for the 375th in the City's 19 boroughs for 19 weekends during the Summer of 2017

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 25, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Neighbourhoods come alive for the 375^th, another signature event from the Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375^th Anniversary, aims to showcase the richness and diversity of Montréal's neighbourhoods and citizens. For 19 consecutive weekends (Thursday to Sunday) between May and September 2017, every borough will have its turn in the spotlight. This friendly, festive activity will give anyone who loves Montréal (no matter where they're from) a wonderful opportunity to learn what makes their own neighbourhood distinct and to discover or rediscover the surrounding boroughs.

"Part of Montréal's incredible vibrancy comes from the rich life in its neighbourhoods and the people who are proud to call them home," said Montréal Mayor Denis Coderre. "We want the city's neighbourhoods to play a big role in its 375^th anniversary celebrations, with a special focus on the people who live and work there and contribute to their energy and vitality."

"Montréal's 375^th anniversary celebrations are an opportunity to showcase the cultural vibrancy that is part of the city's DNA. The original projects that will be carried out in the city's neighbourhoods in summer 2017 will pay tribute to the talents of our citizens, artists, artisans and creators. The government is pleased to support these initiatives, which will rekindle the sense of pride and belonging of everyone who lives in Greater Montréal," declared Martin Coiteux, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy and Minister responsible for the Montréal region.

"Every day, we travel back and forth between our homes and workplaces without realizing that we cross several Montréal districts we barely know. Neighbourhoods come alive for the 375^th is our opportunity to unveil those districts and their hidden treasures to Montrealers," explained Gilbert Rozon, Commissioner for Celebrations for Montréal's 375^th Anniversary. "At the public consultations on the kind of festivities Montrealers wanted, they told us that they wanted the activities to be anchored in the community and take place across the city. With Neighbourhoods come alive for the 375^th, we're hoping to get as many Montrealers to take part as possible and shine a light on Montrealers in their neighbourhoods; they're what makes Montréal such a lively city."

Neighbourhoods come alive for the 375^th consists of about 10 activities that will tour Montréal's 19 boroughs. Every weekend, one of a borough's parks or public spaces will be chosen as the venue. Sample activities include:

Circus and artistic performances in conjunction with Cirque Éloize
In an ambience reminiscent of the fairs and carnivals of years gone by, amateur performers from each neighbourhood will team up with Cirque Éloize artists to put on shows for the young and young at heart.

An historical exhibit in collaboration with McCord Museum
A travelling exhibition-installation designed to stir emotions and amaze through human stories steeped in the history of Montréal and the uniqueness of its many districts.

The great neighbourhood mixers
Organized in cooperation with local merchants (butcher shops, bakeries, cheese shops, microbreweries and so on), citizens are invited to take part in an outdoor feast, right in the city. This will be a wonderful opportunity to eat and dance in good company, all with a view to meeting and strengthening ties with friends and neighbours!

Foodie tours
Montréal's neighbourhoods are filled with gourmet food businesses that are worth a visit. These epicurean tours will suggest stops at some great addresses in each borough to excite foodies' taste buds.

Neighbourhood treasure hunts
Do we really know our neighbourhoods? Two treasure hunts (one for children, one for adults) will give participants a chance to see how well they know the neighbourhoods they live in (or visit) in a fun and educational format.

Talking Windows
Adding a touch of whimsy and poetry to the event, Montréal is taking a page from Lille, France and borrowing its concept of "Talking Windows." Artists will be paired with residents who have generously agreed to lend them their windows, doors, stairways or balconies to exhibit their works of art. One street in every borough will be selected for this activity.

With a few surprises in store, Neighbourhoods come alive for the 375^th is an exciting way to introduce the city's residents to the people and places that make Montréal's neighbourhood life so vibrant.

About the Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375th Anniversary
The Society for the Celebration of Montréal's 375^th Anniversary is a non-profit organization whose mission is to organize the 2017 celebrations. With a focus on promoting Montréal expertise, it acts as a catalyst to realize its mandate: mobilize the community, implement a funding strategy, rigorously manage funding, devise quality programming and ensure visibility of the celebrations. Inspired by a desire to build bridges, its operations are overseen by a Board of Directors, a Council of Governors and several committees. The Society is supported by the Ville de Montréal, the Québec government and 10 corporate partners called "Great Montrealers."

For more information: 375mtl.com

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SOURCE Société des célébrations du 375e anniversaire de Montréal

Anne Dongois, 514 826-2050, [email protected]