Janette Bertrand will reach the 100th birthday on March 25, 2025. Among the upcoming celebrations, Janette, a play, will be dedicated to him. When we sit down with the one who still strives today to break all taboos, we can see that the liveliness of mind, the thirst for justice, the generosity, the humor and the elegance always make her shine.
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Ms. Bertrand, how was this project dedicated to you presented to you?
Mr. Gilles Duceppe called me to talk to me about it and ask me what I thought about it — because the piece will be presented at Duceppe’s house. I couldn’t believe it! I couldn’t have expected that. I then attended meetings; I really like the fact that I can take part in this creation myself.
Janette, which will be written by Rébecca Déraspe, will have a cast of six actors, including Guylaine Tremblay. Will she play you?
Yes. And since it’s theater, it’s not necessary for her to look like me at all costs. She can play me both at the age of 20 and at 80. Then Guylaine is so good!
Let us mention that Zoé Lajeunesse-Guy, your granddaughter, will also be part of the cast.
Yes! She is currently on stage in Plastique, where she plays a man. She is so talented! We come to forget that she is a woman. So, in Janette, Zoé will somehow represent my family. We will mainly talk about the story of my professional life, but it will also be about my personal life, of course. I am very happy and excited about this project. If, during the creation period, I find that they are exaggerating, I will let them know. If necessary, I will not hesitate to tell them: “I’m not like that all together!” (laughs)
Where are you in writing the rest of your autobiography?
It will be launched on October 23. Currently it is titled One hundred years of love. On one of the first pages I wrote: “This is my last book, perhaps.” I discuss everything I have experienced over the last 20 years. People ask me so much what makes it possible to live as old as I do, so I’m going to talk about it. During the pandemic, old people have been portrayed as sick people. But I am the symbol of someone who ages well; which explains the success I am having at the moment. When I attend book fairs, the queues in front of the kiosk where I sit are long, that doesn’t make sense! Recently, I was at the one in Quebec: it was crazy!
So, what makes us age well like you?
Ah! my God! You have to think of others and get involved. I continue to volunteer. The more you isolate yourself and the more you just listen to TV, the older you get. The work is extraordinary! Human beings are born to be loved and valued. When you stop working, you no longer receive valuation. You don’t have to stop working. If you don’t like your job, change jobs.
What else can you expect in One hundred years of love?
Advice too. There are plenty of services available to seniors that people don’t know about. Of course, I also talk about myself, among other things, about my incontinence problems — something that no one ever talks about! I address all my little problems and inconveniences that make life complicated.
You probably also talk about your back problems which now force you to move around either with a cane or in a wheelchair…
Yes. I no longer have discs between my vertebrae; It’s the disease of old age. According to some doctors, our bodies are not made to live this old.
Among your many activities, do you still cook?
Less. Donald took over when I had breast cancer.
Donald who has shared your life for 42 years…
Yes. At that point he said to me, “You can’t be in the kitchen at the same time as me.” I agreed, because I was so tired. It was not the cancer itself that had exhausted me, but the radiotherapy treatments.
You turned 99 on March 25. Did you celebrate your birthday?
No, I found it so anticlimax! I sent emails to my family members and wrote to them that celebrating 99 years old seemed too “discounted”. I preferred to wait 100 years to treat myself. (laughs)
What inspires you about this milestone that you are about to take?
How life goes by so quickly! Where I am, I get to Friday and I haven’t seen the week go by. Sometimes I think I should do nothing for a day. But I change my mind because, as I said, doing nothing adds value to anyone.
Would you do some things differently?
No. I allow myself to make mistakes very easily. If I was wrong, I tried to do my best. For example, there is no such thing as perfect parents. Ultimately, I am a very down to earth girl.
How old are your children and how are they doing?
Dominique is 75 years old, Isabelle, 73, and Martin, 64. Isabelle has experienced terrible grief, the loss of her partner; she struggles to get over it. But the others are doing very well, as are my grandchildren and my great-grandchildren. The youngest is two years old and he came to swim in my pool a few days ago.
Do you have any other tips for aging gracefully?
You have to love life. It is your energy that keeps you young and projects the image of a young person. To love life is to love others and to give. I think all that keeps me young too.
Janette will be presented at Duceppe, in Montreal, from April 9 to May 10, 2025, and in Quebec, from June 26 to 29, 2025. Tickets will go on sale on May 2. Janette Bertrand’s next book will be released on October 23, 2024.
