The Montreal Ukrainian Festival returns August 29 to September 27 with a renewed program of cultural events, united under this year’s theme: “Heritage of Generations.” Inspired by the connection between past, present, and future, the festival highlights the richness of Ukrainian heritage and its transmission across generations \u2014 both in Ukraine and within the Canadian diaspora.<\/p>\n
This year’s edition also marks two important milestones: 35 years of Ukraine’s Independence and 135 years of Ukrainians in Canada \u2014 a vibrant tribute to the resilience, culture, and lasting contributions of Ukrainian communities.<\/p>\n
It all starts August 29 (free admission) at Parc Maisonneuve, Montreal with a vibrant outdoor celebration featuring live performances, Ukrainiancuisine, artisan and vendor booths, and a spectacular show bringing together Ukrainian artists from across Canada.<\/p>\n
Moving to September 12, there will be a\u00a0 Cultural Voyage featuring a day of hands-on workshops and cultural experiences celebrating Ukrainian traditions, arts, and craftsmanship. Next, in September 13, will be Literary Encounters: readings, discussions, and musical performances celebrating Ukrainian literature and intercultural dialogue.<\/p>\n
On September 20 the Ukrainian Youth Association of Quebec will present Theatre Space, an evening of contemporary theatre exploring memory, identity, and history. The venue and event details will be announced soon.<\/p>\n
Moving to September 27, there will be a Young Talent Showcase, highlighting the creativity of the next generation of Ukrainian artists.<\/p>\n
Since its founding, the Montreal Ukrainian Festival has celebrated the richness, beauty, and resilience of Ukrainian culture. It serves as a space for cultural exchange and community connection, bringing together thousands of visitors each year through a shared heritage.<\/p>\n
THE GREAT PEACE OF MONTREAL:\u00a0Pointe-\u00e0-Calli\u00e8re,<\/a> Montr\u00e9al\u2019s archaeology and history complex, is marking the 325th anniversary of the signing of the Great Peace of Montreal, an exceptional agreement between 38 Indigenous nations and representatives of New France, which was signed in 1701 on the very site where the Museum stands today.<\/p>\n As part of the commemorations of this pivotal event in the city\u2019s history, the Museum is presenting an interpretive tour\u2014until September 20, 2026\u2014which provides further insight into the peace process, marked by exchanges, negotiations, travel, and rituals. It also highlights objects that bear witness to this period of history, including wampum beads and fragments of peace pipes, some of which were discovered at the Museum\u2019s archaeological site. The visit culminates at Fort Ville-Marie with the exhibition of the only known copy of the treaty, an exceptional loan from the Archives nationales d\u2019outre-mer.<\/p>\n To this day, the Great Peace remains one of the most important diplomatic gatherings in North American history! At the time, there were only 1,200 inhabitants in Montr\u00e9al. But on August 4, 1701, more than 1,300 representatives from 38 Indigenous nations, along with French and Canadian representatives, met at the Calli\u00e8re estate to make peace and bring an end to nearly a century of conflict. However, the challenge was a considerable one. There was an extraordinary continental dimension to the gathering, given the geographical extent of the participants\u2019 provenance\u2014the entire northeast of the American continent. This historic meeting gave rise to an unprecedented opportunity for discussion, alliance, and negotiation. Together, the participants signed the Treaty of the Great Peace of Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n Explore the full program on Pointe-\u00e0-Calli\u00e8re\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n BIG TOP IN ROSEMERE: Nouveau Cirque Mondial<\/a> will make its debut in Rosem\u00e8re Sept 11 to 20. They will be Under the Big Top at Place Rosem\u00e8re . Tickets are on sale now for this fantastic and energetic show that combines authentic European circus artistry with a modern production design. The Barrie show is part of the highly anticipated North American debut tour of the French company, which will visit several cities. This 100 percent human circus celebrates extraordinary artists who push the limits of strength, agility, and imagination. From breathtaking acrobatics, daring knife throwing, and impressive feats of strength to astonishing contortions, stunning juggling, and whimsical European clowning, the show combines adrenaline and artistic talent in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The 11-act program brings together renowned artists from major international festivals as well as emerging new talents, creating a vibrant and evolving circus that feels authentic and full of heart. The intimate seating arrangement allows the audience to fully experience each performance. Carmen and Vitalie Rosca, contestants from Season 13 of \u201cAmerica\u2019s Got Talent,\u201d present daring feats of strength and knife throwing, while Alix Duclos Conchard takes to the air on aerial silks. Former Olympic gymnast Randy Jose Leru Bell (Rio 2016) joins his fellow performers Andres Manuel Ortiz Bell and Yankiel Bello Balmaceda for a gravity-defying Chinese pole performance, before stepping onto the mat for a powerful and sculptural hand-balancing demonstration. A lightning-fast juggler, a breathtaking roller-skating duo on a tiny platform, and an iridescent bubble artist complete the experience. There is something for everyone in this family-friendly show that will delight audiences of all ages. The cozy single-ring tent invites shared laughter, close-up thrills, and a genuine human connection. For two unforgettable hours, the outside world disappears, making way for wonder, human warmth, and the pure magic of the circus. Info:\u00a0https:\/\/cirquemondial.com\/<\/a><\/p>\n ALICE: Sph\u00e8re M\u00e9dia has announced that the series Alice has been selected for its World Premiere in the prestigious Primetime program at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). Each year, the prime time program showcases a select group of the world’s most outstanding scripted television series. This selection is an exceptional recognition of the artistic excellence and creative ambition behind Alice, which will make its first-ever public and industry debut at the festival. Produced by Wild Bunch, Palermo Productions, and Sph\u00e8re M\u00e9dia, ALICE is directed by Virginie Verrier (France) and Guillaume Lonergan (Canada) and features an outstanding international cast including B\u00e9r\u00e9nice B\u00e9jo, Thibault Evrard, Oscar Lesage, Ir\u00e8ne Jacob, Fran\u00e7ois Arnaud, Sophie N\u00e9lissen\u00a0 and Vincent Leclerc. The series is written by Tim Loane, Claire Lemar\u00e9chal\u00a0and Andr\u00e9 Gulluni. The series will premiere on HBO Max and France T\u00e9l\u00e9visions in France, and on Crave in Canada. ” Being selected for TIFF’s Primetime program is an incredible honour. This world premiere offers an outstanding international showcase for our entire creative team and reflects the ambition that has driven the development and production of ALICE from the very beginning, ” said Marie-Claude Poulin, Canadian producer of the series for Sph\u00e8re M\u00e9dia.<\/p>\n Alice tells the extraordinary story of Alice Guy, the world’s first female film director. Defying the conventions of her time, she pursues her passion for filmmaking and, alongside her mentor L\u00e9on Gaumont, pioneers groundbreaking cinematic techniques. She later falls in love with Herbert Blach\u00e9, a charming Englishman whom she marries and follows to America. Rather than ending her career, the move transforms her into one of the industry’s first international filmmaking stars\u2014and the highest-paid woman in the country. Yet at the height of her success, she loses everything: the two great loves of her life, her fortune, and even her films, fading into obscurity. Across six episodes, Alice chronicles the remarkable rise and heartbreaking fall of a fearless pioneer betrayed by an era unwilling to accept a woman’s success.<\/p>\n NEW PARTNERSHIP: Sofitel Montreal Golden Mile<\/a> has unveiled a new partnership with MAISON KE\u00cf AKAI, an independent contemporary art gallery based in Montreal, transforming the hotel into a living gallery that celebrates Canadian artists and artists established in Canada. MAISON KE\u00cf AKAI is dedicated to celebrating and promoting artists with diverse identities, offering fresh perspectives through a range of mediums including painting, sculpture, photography, and video. Both political and poetic, the works invite dialogue and reflection, positioning the gallery as a bridge between artists and collectors, with a strong focus on social engagement.<\/p>\n Over 50 curated works are displayed throughout the hotel, from guest rooms to public and wellness spaces, spanning sculpture, painting, blown glass, mixed media, and printmaking\u2014creating a continuous sense of discovery for guests. Featured artists include internationally recognized names such as David Umemoto, Lynda Benglis and Amelia Hadouchi, alongside Montreal-based creators including Janna Yotte, Franco \u00c9galit\u00e9, Christine Hodgson and Montserrat Duran Muntadas. The selection was designed to complement the hotel\u2019s architecture while reflecting the diversity of Canada\u2019s contemporary art scene.<\/p>\n This initiative reflects Sofitel\u2019s ongoing commitment to embedding a strong local identity within each of its properties, celebrating the culture and creative talent of the destinations in which it operates. It also offers guests a new way to engage with Montr\u00e9al\u2019s creative scene, where hospitality and culture intersect in a more immersive and unexpected way.<\/p>\n To learn more about MAISON KE\u00cf AKAI or inquire about the pieces, please visit: https:\/\/maisonkeiakai<\/a>.<\/p>\n