Neighbours' Day Celebrated All Over Québec Next Saturday

QUÉBEC, June 1 /CNW Telbec/ - All Quebeckers are invited to celebrate Neighbours' Day next Saturday, June 5. This year, nearly 300 municipalities are officially participating in Neighbours' Day by promoting this event intended to strengthen the relationships between neighbours in a pleasant and convivial atmosphere.

"This Saturday, people all over Québec will be celebrating," says delightfully actress Pascale Montpetit, spokesperson for Neighbours' Day. "Last year, I went to a party in my neighbourhood and, having met people I would never have spoken to before, I was won over completely. We get out of our houses, come out of our shells and, for a few hours, we interact, discover and appreciate the things we have in common. Beyond fences and hedges, there are people with whom we can share many pleasant and useful things. And it is possible to live in a friendly neighbourhood and still keep one's privacy."

The residents of the neighbourhood are the real actors who contribute to the success of this day. It is easy to find a place: a backyard, a hall or courtyard of an apartment building, a street, a lane, a park, etc. There are different ways of organizing it: cocktail party, barbecue, potluck, desert contest, etc. People are free to choose the formula that will suit them and may visit the Neighbours' Day website (www.fetedesvoisins.qc.ca) to find information and celebration ideas.

"The party reflects the people who organize it," says Pascale Montpetit. "For it to become a tradition, it has to be simple. I invite everyone to take advantage of this great opportunity to establish friendly relations and spend time with their neighbours."

People who are interested can get posters and invitations at their municipalities, if they are registered, or download them from the Neighbours' Day website. All that is left to do is simply send out invitations and, of course, spend time with your neighbours.

"We decided to participate in Neighbours' Day because, on our street, there is a keen desire for sharing and community," emphasizes Émilie Bordat, a resident who has been organizing a neighbours' day for several years in the southwest borough of Montréal. "It was for us the ideal context to bring neighbours together. Neighbours' Day allows people to experience a feeling of safety and belonging that is expressed through a common effort to improve our street. Ever since we have been organizing a neighbours' day, our street has become a village again and the neighbours, friends with whom we enjoy sharing and interacting."

"This fifth edition of Neighbours' Day will surpass the record of participation," says Nadine Maltais, coordinator of the event. "In my opinion, this success proves that we are not that individualistic. To put a lot into neighbourly relations is to improve our quality of life. Let's take advantage of it!"

This year, Neighbours' Day will close Municipality Week in a cheerful manner. Organized in collaboration with the Fédération Québécoise des Municipalités and the Union of Québec Municipalities, this joyous celebration of all municipalities allows people to know about the actions and values that characterize the communities of Québec.

Neighbours' Day began in France in 1999 and quickly spread throughout Europe in the past few years. Spurred on by the Réseau québécois de Villes et Villages en santé, which is the promoting organization in Québec, the province was the first region in North America to follow suit. Last year, Neighbours' Day brought together more than 8 million participants in a 1000 cities throughout the world.

    
    Source :

    Réseau québécois de Villes et Villages en santé

    Media Relations :

    Roch Bilodeau - Phare Communications
    819 347-7622
    

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For further information: Media Relations: Roch Bilodeau, Phare Communications, [phone]; Source: Réseau québécois de Villes et Villages en santé