Cultures in the spotlight

A number of events part of Quebec’s Intercultural week took place in Montreal between Sept. 30 and Oct. 7, and St. Laurent couldn’t resist getting in on the action. The Centre d'accueil et de référence sociale (CARI) and a number of other organizations launched various initiatives to promote dialogue and understanding.

Kicking off the week was the launch of an informational directory for newcomers, entitled Tout sous la main (Everything at Hand). The pocket-sized book provides immigrants with numerous resources to help them adapt. Mayor Alan DeSousa also attended the book launch took place at the CLSC St. Laurent.

Another event was a breakfast-meeting at the community centre, promoted by the COSSL Immigrant Committee. Guadalupe Vento hosted the conference, which was centred on cultural differences. Before responding to audience questions, Vento, an immigrant of Cuban origin, pointed out the importance of understanding the history of Quebec to better understand the province’s mentality. Speaking from her own experiences, Vento addressed the problem of stereotyping immigrants may face, all the while pointing out Quebecers are generally open and curious.

The project, named Ici, je m'ancre en français, promoted learning the French language as an indispensable tool for integrating in Quebec. “Language is something that is an immediate reality for new arrivals. It plays a major part in a difficult process,” said Michèle Bousquet, one of the project’s organizers.

According to Bousquet, artists responded to the project in large numbers. “As authors, we have a naïve relationship with language. It’s something we can’t master,” said Marie-Hélène Montpetit, a Montreal poet participating in the event. “I’m interested in finding out what words they use, and how they integrate them.”

“We have the chance to have an army of volunteers to support the often huge efforts made by immigrants to express themselves in French,” said Marie-Joseph Pigeon, a development agent with the CARI St. Laurent. “Eventually, a collection of the texts from the event may be published.”