Fête Nationale celebrations return

Blue and white everywhere as Quebecers are Celebrating St-Jean Baptiste Day.

Festivities across the province are planned Friday and over the long weekend. Celebrating in-person for the first time since the pandemic forced many cancellations over the past two years.

“We love celebrating together,” said Laura Albushat, resident of Montreal’s Saint-Leonard borough.

Albushat has lived in Quebec for over seven years.

Her and her three boys are among the hundreds enjoying the festivities at Wilfrid-Bastien park.

“It’s beautiful here and a nice day,” she added.

 

Organized by l’Association haïtiano-canado-québécoise d’aide aux démunis (AHCQAD) in collaboration with le Bureau associatif pour la diversité et la réinsertion (BADR) – the team is happy to have festivities back in their borough.

“Since I came from Haiti, I celebrate it,” said Felicidades Joseph, founder and director of the AHCQAD. “I continue and I will continue until the point I cant anymore.”

“We are happy that there is diversity here,” said Félicha Gédéon of the AHCQAD. “We are happy to be able to enjoy living on this beautiful territory.”

“We’re so happy to be together with our community,” said Leila Benkhaled, resident of the borough. “The weather is so shiny, I’m here with my kids.”

“We’re so happy to finally to meet people after two years of COVID,” she added.

This is the 188th edition of the Fête Nationale.

And about 5,000 activities across 650 locales in Quebec are planned for the long weekend.

“For us to be Quebecois is to be involved, it is to live together,” said Nadia Misraoui of BADR. “It is to share the cultures from all walks of life.”

“It’s our home here,” said Benkhaled, smiling.

“Vive le Quebec,” yelled Joseph.

“To be among all my friends and the like, the multi culture,” explained Albushat. “This is for me being a Quebecer.”