Come Aboard! Pirates or Privateers?

Press release

Come aboard! Pirates or Privateers?
A new, family-friendly interactive experience at Pointe-à-Callière

Montréal, February 10, 2021 – The popular exhibition for families, Pirates or Privateers? has been given a makeover! Pointe-à-Callière presents a new interactive experience for 5-to-12-year-old adventurers seeking to put their minds and bodies to the test, get their sea legs, and learn if they’ve got what it takes to be a privateer!

Completely revamped and improved, this new family-friendly exhibition offers young people an opportunity to enter the world of ship’s captain Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville—Canada’s most renowned privateer—and experience life aboard ship, in often imaginative ways!

Upon arriving at the tavern (a favourite pirate hangout), curious and courageous youngsters will meet d’Iberville (portrayed by Paul Ahmarani), along with other well-known pirates and privateers, like Blackbeard (portrayed by Sébastien Dubé of Les Denis Drolet) and Mary Read, one of history’s most famous female pirates—all under the guidance of Coco, a mischievous parrot! From an intense discussion among all of the characters, young visitors will come to understand the difference between pirates and privateers. They can then decide if they’ve got the courage to board the ship to face various dangers, finding out what role they can play by answering an interactive questionnaire. Who will be up to the challenge?

Young privateers will go on to explore several different aspects of life aboard a period ship, learning about the food, the stenches that could fill the air, the skills required to carry out maritime manoeuvres, and the punishment that sailors could be subject to—with a bonus peek into the captain’s cabin. Back on dry land, it will finally be time to sort through the spoils... and to congratulate each other on a job well done! Children will also get to learn about the exploits of Pierre Le Moyne d’Iberville and his famous naval battles aboard the Pélican along the Atlantic coastline.

Interactive games in a completely immersive atmosphere
“In this new version of the exhibition, we wanted to maximize the use of digital technology in order to surprise our young visitors and make activities even more participatory and interactive. We wanted to create an immersive atmosphere in which children, and even older people, can have fun while learning about the history of pirates and privateers,” explains Francine Lelièvre, Executive Director of Pointe-à-Callière.

By integrating videos, meetings with various characters, a naval battle, participatory video games, atmospheric lighting, and new scenic elements, every effort has been made to create fun and interactive spaces that bring to life the adventure with d’Iberville. Through the magic of our free photo booth, visitors will get to see their faces transformed into that of their favourite pirate or privateer—and receive the photo by email as a souvenir of their visit.

Several objects relating to the maritime world are on display in the exhibition, including a few from the Québec television series D’Iberville, broadcast in 1967-1968, such as navigational instruments, crockery, furniture and scenic elements, model ships, personal items, weapons, etc.

Come aboard! Pirates or Privateers? is a self-guided exhibition for the general public and families. Health measures have been implemented to ensure a safe exhibition and exploration environment.

This exhibition was made possible through a financial contribution from the City of Montréal.

About Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Archaeology and History Complex
Pointe-à-Callière, the birthplace of Montréal, is the city’s largest history museum. Rising above a concentrated number of national historic and archaeological sites, the museum’s mission is to raise awareness and foster an appreciation of Montréal’s history, and to forge bonds with regional, national, and international networks.
Pointe-à-Callière, Proud partner of Ville de Montréal

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Source:
Eveline Trudel-Fugère
Communications Project Manager
Tel: 514 872-2687 / Cell: 514 704-2225 / [email protected]