The 27th Journées de la culture will be celebrated across Quebec this Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1. One of the event's ambassadors is well known in Vaudreuil-Soulanges, and Néomédia was delighted to speak with him. Interview with Michel Vallée. 

After several years with the City of Vaudreuil-Dorion, Michel Vallée left his beloved region to head the Culture pour tous organization. In a few days' time, he will be taking on this new professional challenge two years ago. 

Culture pour tous has been organizing the Journées de la culture since 1996, and its mission is to deploy accessible, inspiring and inclusive strategies and actions to promote awareness and appreciation of culture as an essential factor in the development and health of communities. 

A new string to its bow 

"Usually, ambassadorial roles are entrusted to two well-known artists. Talking to people around me recently, they convinced me that I should be one of the ambassadors this year, to pass on my passion and love for local culture. What's more, I'll be rubbing shoulders with Éléonore Lagacé as part of this mandate, and I'm very happy about that. She's a gem," he says. 

The pair had never met before. What did he discover about the young woman born into the world of music? "She's really passionate about her art too.Her mother is the soprano Nathalie Choquette, her father is a musician and her sister is Florence K. So it's safe to say that she's been immersed in the world of music since childhood.From the very first time we met, I fell in love with her professionally. She's really passionate about what she does," he adds. 

Michel Vallée continues about his co-ambassador. "She understands the importance of culture in our daily lives.Working closely with her, I can confirm that kindness and simplicity are among her many qualities.Her message to people?Become an ambassador for culture in your own regions and even in your own circles, whether at work or in your families." 

Back in the fold

As part of his ambassadorial role, Michel Vallée will be touring the four corners of Quebec over the next few days to promote culture alongside Éléonore Lagacé. But it's in the place so dear to his heart, Vaudreuil-Dorion, that the pair will make their first stop to launch the Journées de la culture 2023. 

"I'm delighted to be here with you this Friday morning. The Ma chanson à l'école activity will be the first to be held as part of the Journées de la culture. Nearly 1,000 children from Vaudreuil-Dorion's Saint-Michel, Sainte-Madeleine and Cité-des-Jeunes schools will welcome us and singer Fanny Bloom as part of this initiative. We're really looking forward to it!". 

Province-wide, over 300,000 children will take part in Ma chanson à l'école this Friday, September 29.Over the course of three days, more than 2,600 activities of all kinds are planned across Quebec.They are organized by 1,100 different organizers, including municipalities, RCMs, artists' groups, community groups and other cultural organizations. 

The weekend's cultural offerings include shows, participatory workshops and visits to artists' studios.There's something for every member of the family, promises Mr. Vallée. 

"On Friday, Éléonore and I will start the day in Vaudreuil-Dorion before continuing elsewhere in Montérégie.Then, on Saturday and Sunday, we'll make our way to the Lower St. Lawrence and Gaspé regions, via Montreal, Trois-Rivières and Quebec City.It's important to remember that all activities offered as part of Journées de la culture 2023 are free of charge for participants" he adds. 

But while the activities are free of charge, Mr. Vallée believes it is essential that the artists taking part are not volunteers.

"I encourage cities, municipalities, RCMs and all those who organize cultural activities, whether as part of the Journées de la culture or not, to set aside a budget to pay artists.They make a living from their art, and it's only right that they should be paid like any other professional.Thank you to those who do, it's a very important aspect for me. Finally, I invite everyone to take advantage of the Journées de la culture this weekend to meet new people and celebrate culture with family and friends across Quebec," he concludes.