Elles sont Montréal

For the fifth edition, Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s archaeology and history complex, is carrying out the Nous sommes Montréal project. This project is being carried out in collaboration with outstanding partners, namely our two artist-mediators: Lula Carballo, poet, and Elaine Fafard-Marconi, artist. We are also counting on the involvement of three high schools and their passionate teachers: Marguerite-De-Lajemmerais High School, Anjou High School, and Le Vitrail Alternative School. Finally, the project would not be possible without the talent and creativity of the 75 young people aged 12 to 16 who participated in the project. 

Women's history

For this fifth edition, entitled Elles sont Montréal, young people discovered the history of some 100 women who helped build Montreal and Quebec over the centuries, as well as the various struggles they fought. In the form of tributes, the young people highlighted the contributions of these inspiring women to Quebec history, from the 17th century to the present day. This series of portraits depicts the resilience, selflessness, courage, and passion that drives these women. We also discover their immense courage and strength through feminist struggles for women's rights and equality. Our reading takes us on a journey through time, history, and the lives of women who have inspired and left their mark on our history.

A journey of perseverance

The Nous sommes Montréal adventure took place between October 2024 and May 2025, during which the young people participated in 19 creative workshops. Their exploration of words began with poet Lula Carballo, during ten poetry workshops designed to help them discover and embrace the history of the women who built Montreal and Quebec. By immersing themselves in the world of words, they created works that pay tribute to and showcase the contributions of these remarkable women. With artist Élaine Fafard-Marconi, they transformed these poetic portraits into visual works during five visual arts workshops. To stimulate their inspiration, the young people visited the Museum twice, notably to discover the temporary exhibition Witches - Out of the Shadows. Once the works were completed, the young people followed the process of editing and publishing the collection during an editing workshop with our two artist-mediators.

In preparation for the launch event, spoken word artist Sarah Khilaji held two oral poetry workshops to help the young people find their voice when reading their poems. At the launch event at the museum on May 28, their poems resonated throughout the museum, much to everyone's delight. Each young person received a few copies of the poetry collection they created, which they can share with their families, friends, and school. It was a magical evening that rewarded the academic perseverance, creativity, and sensitivity of our budding young artists. 

Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal’s archaeology and history complex, is proud to have supported these seventy-five young people in creating and publishing the fifth edition of this collective work.

We would like to acknowledge the financial contribution of the Pointe-à-Callière Foundation and its unwavering support in bringing this promising project for young people to fruition.

Happy discoveries and happy reading!