“Mondial
des cultures” festival translates into festival of world
culture, and every year, for the past 28 years, it has pitched
its marvelous and myriad tents in Drummondville, Quebec. In
what has become one of the rites of Quebec summer, artists and
musicians from more than 25 countries gather to share their
art and heritage with the tens of thousands of visitors who
attend the event that is becoming bigger and better every year.
For 11 glorious days in July, Drummondville becomes the epicenter
of a multicultural happening that shines a light on diversity
and tolerance. As such, there is no other comparable event that
can compete with it.
Mondial
des cultures, formerly known as Le festival du folklore, has
gradually evolved into a festival that not only features music,
but costume and especially dance; but the menu also includes
arts and indigenous crafts and scrumptious native cuisine. If
you’ve ever wanted to try kangaroo, you need no longer
fly Quantas to Australia.
The
event takes place along the river at Parc
Woodyat where the trees are tall, the shade is
long and the living is easy. And while this year’s edition
was hampered by occasional weather mishaps, the attendance,
taking its cue from the quality of the performances, was the
best yet.
This
year, the programmers showed themselves as inventive as the
artists. They arranged for a special brand of fusion that featured
an engaging mix of Taiwanese and Northern Russia’s music
and dance; in its invention and spontaneity it was like watching
jazz on feet. Among the musical highlights were performances
from Florence K, Kaïn, Dan Bigras, Marie-Mai, Natalie Choquette,
Stefie Shock, and Shilvi.
Florence
K., with her distinctly Latin American infusions, encapsulated
the essence of the festival. She is not only a gifted songwriter,
but highly creative pianist whose accompaniment deserves no
less attention than her deeply felt singing. With her natural
grace and generosity, she was this year’s natural choice
for festival spokesperson.
That
this diverse, multi-event festival takes place without a hitch
is due to the skillful organizers behind the scenes. Its President
Alexandre Cusson sets the tone for a team that plays as a team.
From the setting up of the stages, the timing of events, to
the parking, the festival attracts hundreds of volunteers who
offer direction and information in many of the world’s
languages; visitors are made to feel special and part of the
very special happening that world culture engenders.
No
surprise that Drummondville’s Mondial des cultures has
carved out a significant niche for itself and enjoys an international
reputation. Rather than rivaling Montreal’s world famous
jazz festival, it complements it and provides a bucolic alternative
to the frenzy of the big city.
But
above everything else, Mondial des cultures is a celebration
of peace and togetherness that appeals to globe-trotters and
neophytes alike. It’s where you can lay back and let the
world in all its magical diversity come to you.
I’m
already looking forward to the 2010 edition that begins July
8th.
