COMING TO THE MORRIN CENTRE IN NOVEMBER CÉILIDH ECHOES OF SCOTLAND N U M B E R 2 9 ■ F a l l 2 0 1 0 ■ $ 2 . 0 0 Inspired by the fascinating history of the leaving Scotland, the memory of the logdriver’s Scottish pioneers, in 2009, Le Cochon waltz, nostalgia for milling frolics… The SouRiant in collaboration with the Oscar Dhu multimedia effects and projection of old Cultural Centre and Fig55 created Céilidh photos; family portraits and animations help Echoes of Scotland. This performance binds the audience to imagine early life in “Canada, together theatre, multimedia images, new the land of everlasting forest and cold”. It is a technologies, storytelling, singing, journey that weaves together the past and instrumental music, dancing and poetry. present, Gaelic, English and French languages, nostalgia, happiness, humour and The play is steeped in the history of the first tradition. ■ Scottish Pioneer settlers, who exiled from the Isle of Lewis, settled in the Eastern Townships This theatre piece was based on historical and LOUISE PENNY of Quebec. The audience is invited to a céilidh ethnological documents, from the works of BOOK (kaylee), a visit or gathering at the taigh- Margaret Bennett, the Oscar Dhu Cultural ceilidh, or “ceilidh house”. The ceilidh is Center archives and documents and LAUNCH structured around stories, poems, proverbs, information provided by Lingwick residents, ■ anecdotes, jokes, dances, songs and music particularly the descendants of the Scottish taken from the life stories of the first settlers. Céilidh Echoes of Scotland is a CÉILIDH Hebridean settlers. The occasion is the collective creation by Tess LeBlanc, André ECHOES OF reunion between a brother, Seamus, and Bombardier, Michel Fordin and Martine sister, Sine. Digging through old trunks found Fordin, with musical suggestions by Daniel SCOTLAND in the attic of the family home, Sine and Fréchette, Catherine Bergeron and Lise Seamus, take delight in memories of the past. Beauchemin. The play is enriched with ■ An old coat, a plaid, an old shoe, Uncle Angus’ multimedia images by Pierre Ménard and tam, Maryanne Morrison's diary… spark the Vincent Myette, Fig 55 collaborators, and story of the little dog that followed the ship costumes by Sonia Létourneau. WWW.ECHOSDECOSSE.CA The Morrin Centre is managed by the Literary & Historical Society of Quebec ■ Published with the assistance of Canada Post FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE : CONSEIL DES ARTS ET DES LETTRES DU QUÉBEC, CANADA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS, EMPLOI QUÉBEC. SOCIETY PAGES EDITOR Marie Rubsteck PARTNER EVENTS & ACTIVITIES [email protected] DESIGN David Dupuis COMING SOON TO LA MAISON ANGLAISE www.frmrg.ca NUMBER 29 ■ FALL 2010 ■ On October 29, Romeo On November 3: Director / PUBLISHER Literary and Historical Society of Quebec Dallaire, the Senator/General, Author Paul Almond is coming 44, chaussée des Écossais best known for his account of to La Maison Anglaise. Meet CONTENT Québec (Québec) G1R 4H3 his time as UN forces one of Canada’s preeminent PHONE commander in Rwanda, will be film and television directors for Letter from the President 1 David F. Blair 418-694-9147 FAX visiting La Maison Anglaise. His a reading of his latest book, The 418-694-0754 new book, They Fight Like Deserter, on Wednesday, From the Executive Director 2 Simon Jacobs GENERAL INQUIRIES Soldiers, They Die Like Children, November 3, starting at [email protected] focuses on his passion, in his 5:00p.m. For additional From the Vault WEBSITE own words “…to eradicate the information, please visit The Present State of Literature 3 James Douglas, Jr. www.morrin.org use of child soldiers and to www.lamaisonanglaise.com ■ eliminate even the thought of Library Pages LHSQ COUNCIL David F. Blair, President the use of children as instruments of war.” To reserve a Book Reviews 5 Louisa Blair, Interim Secretary copy of the book and your opportunity to meet this Wish List 7 Simon Auclair Sovita Chander, Vice-President great Canadian, please send an email to James Haberlin, Treasurer Barbara Salomon de Friedberg, Honourary [email protected] Membership Librarian Advantages of being a member 8 Marie Rubsteck Peter Black William GK Boden Steve Cameron Fundraising Judith Dunn The Literary Feast 8 Marie Rubsteck Gina Farnell Nathanial B. Findlay Ladd Johnson Events & Activities Rob Lemon Simon Auclair interviews Louise Lorraine O’Donnell 9 Simon Auclair Tariq Qureshi Penny Hélène Thibault Upcoming Events 10 Valerie Chabot [email protected] ■ Partner Events & Activities 13 DIRECTORS Céilidah - Echoes of Scotland Simon Jacobs Executive Director [email protected] Barry McCullough LIBRARY HOURS Director of Administration Sunday 12:00PM-4:00PM [email protected] Marie Rubsteck Monday CLOSED Director of Development [email protected] Tuesday 12:00PM-9:00PM FULL-TIME STAFF Simon Auclair Wednesday 12:00PM-4:00PM Library Manager Thursday 12:00PM-4:00PM [email protected] Valérie Chabot Friday 12:00PM-4:00PM Cultural Events Coordinator [email protected] Saturday 10:00AM-4:00PM Valerie Deslauriers Administrative Assistant [email protected] ■ Due to the restoration work, The mission of the Morrin Centre is to share and foster English-language culture in the Quebec City guided tours are suspended until Spring 2011. region. The Morrin Centre is administered by the Front cover: Members of the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages. From left to right Literary & Historical Society of Quebec. Standing up: Senator Pierre De Barré, Senator Dennis Dawson and Senator Judith Seidman. ISSN 1913-0732 Sitting down: Senator Joan Fraser, Senator Andrée Champagne, Senator Maria Chaput, Senator Suzanne Fortin-Duplessis PAGE 13 FALL 2010 EVENTS & ACTIVITIES - CONTINUED LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT SENATE STANDING COMMITTEE compare la communauté anglophone de Québec d'il y a dix ans à Dear Members and Friends, As many of you know, the Morrin Centre operates the ON OFFICIAL LANGUAGES HEARING celle d’aujourd'hui. Library and maintains a very active calendar of cultural I am very pleased to report that for the second year in a row, AT THE MORRIN CENTRE On Monday, the Senators enjoyed their lunch at the Morrin activities throughout the year, yet is in the unenviable the Society will hold its Annual Literary Feast taking place in Centre library and after the meeting met with members of position of receiving no core funding from any level of On September 13 and 14, the Senate Standing Committee on early December 2010. At the time of printing, the exact date Council and the executive director to discuss different government. Your Council is working hard with Official Languages held its public hearings in College Hall. The has not yet been confirmed. The event promises to be an subjects related to the Morrin Centre and its importance for representatives from the City of Quebec to try to come up senate was conducting a study in the application of the evening of good company, fine food and a thought provoking Québec City. The informal meeting was followed by a guided with some form of ongoing core public funding but it is a Official Languages Act and of the regulations and directives discussion with one of Canada’s best-known philosophers. daunting task. made under it, in relation to the English-Speaking tour of the building and, as you can see from the photo, the old prison cells confirmed their status as an important Communities in Quebec. This was the first time that the This year we are very much honoured by the presence of I strongly urge you to support this year’s Literary Feast in attraction of the Centre. Committee had undertaken looking at the English community Canadian philosopher Mr. Charles M. Taylor, who will be our every way that you are able. Please purchase tickets and keynote speaker of the evening. He is one of the most as a minority, since their preoccupation had been with the By the way, did you know that the Morrin Centre is No. 3 on attend with your family and friends, participate in the silent important thinkers Canada has produced and his writings French minority in the past. Trip Advisor amongst 102 Things to do and see in Québec auction, invite your neighbours and colleagues and, if you are have been translated into 20 languages. They cover a range of City? If we could have convinced the senators to stay in able, help us gather contributions, corporate, individual or When presenting himself at the beginning of the meeting, subjects that include artificial intelligence, language, social prison, the number one position on Tripadviser would otherwise for the silent auction and the sponsorship of the Senator Dennis Dawson, bon and raised in Quebec City, behaviour, morality and multiculturalism. He is also known certainly be ours. event. added: It is a pleasure to be here. I am sure that my colleagues for his important contribution as co-chair of the Consultation will appreciate not only the hearings but the atmosphere of the For information on the Senate Committee proceedings, Commission on Accommodation Practices Related to I look forward to seeing you at this prestigious event and I setting here at Morrin Centre. I think it will help improve their please visit www.parl.gc.ca■ Cultural Difference. thank you for your continued support of the Society. knowledge of Quebec with its history as well as its presence. Further on during the meeting Senator Dawson, when We are also extremely fortunate to have former Quebec Yours sincerely, questioning the director of VEQ, said: Il est fait mention du City Mayor and long-time Morrin Centre supporter, Mr. Jean- centre culturel Morrin Centre. Il y a dû y avoir une évolution si on Paul L’Allier, as our Honorary President of the event. Despite the high literary and philosophical objectives, one of the principal driving forces behind the Feast is to raise money for the operation of the Morrin Centre.