Before taking over the Palais des congrès from November 27 to December 1, the Montreal Book Fair is sprinkled throughout the metropolis with a host of cultural encounters that set the table for the flagship literary event of the season. Here are eight unmissable events from the fourth edition of the Salon in the city.
Space evening: Feminist readings and short films
- Public cinema
- November 20th
The Public Cinema hosts an evening where literature and feminist cinema meet. Five authors — Sayaka Araniva-Yanez, Soline Asselin, Chris Bergeron, Mélissa Labonté and Dolce Saint-Arnold — present their notable works: I watch porn when I’m sad, Diving suit, Valid, Vandals, JOURNEY TO A ROCKET et YUL-Saturne. In addition, the Filminists offer a program of interstellar short films, exploring space and new technologies. The Euguélionne bookstore completes the experience with a selection of feminist science fiction books.
Musical-literary pub-quiz and karaoke
For night owls and music lovers, head to the city bar Le Record in Villeray for a festive evening. The musical-literary pub quiz delves into the worlds of different authors such as Jonathan Charette and Marc-André Dufour-Labbé, with literary extracts as appetizers. The evening continues with karaoke for the more daring. To sing out of tune and laugh loudly.
To the health of what did not kill us
- Bookstore L’Euguélionne
- November 21st
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Emmanuelle Riendeau is a poet from Drummondville. His poetry revolves around subjects such as the relationship with the sick body and alcohol
Photo: Courtesy of Emmanuelle Riendeau
L’Euguélionne opens its doors to a poetic meeting during which Emmanuelle Riendeau invites four poets to speak: Marie Darsigny, Rosie Desbiens, Marie-Pier Lafontaine and Mélopée B. Montminy. Through extracts from Arming the rage, Female dog, Uninhibited, Domain of Rest and other new works, the group explores intimacy, vulnerability and rebellion.
Book and wine pairings
- Bookstore
- November 21st
We’ve all heard of food and wine pairings, but what about book and wine pairings? The Livresse bookstore, in collaboration with Vins Fluids, offers a literary tasting where each glass is paired with a work. With passionate sommeliers and booksellers, this evening promises to be a sensory experience where words and tannins take center stage.
Burlesque sins and literary pleasures
Forget decorum for an evening with Burlesque sins and literary pleasures. At the Wiggle Room, leaf stripping and reading mingle. Authors Lula Carballo and Geneviève Morand transport us into stories where audacity is essential. A perfect evening for those who aren’t afraid of literary heat.
Simon and Marianne
- Museum Cinema
- November 23
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Marianne Marquis-Gravel began writing while dreaming of the life she would not be able to live with her partner, Simon Roy.
Photo: - / Jean-Baptiste Demouy
Straddling the programming of the RIDM and the Salon dans la ville, the documentary Simon and Marianne offers an incursion into the last week of life of Simon Roy, a writer suffering from incurable cancer, and his partner Marianne Marquis-Gravel. Filmmakers Pier-Luc Latulippe and Martin Fournier deliver a portrait of rare intimacy, where the camera respectfully witnesses a deep reflection on love, life and death. The film captures the couple’s tenderness in the face of the inevitable and celebrates the importance of living fully in the present moment.
Discovery of fantastic comics with Julien Paré-Sorel
- Serge-Bouchard Library
- November 24
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Young comic book fans won’t want to miss the meeting with Julien Paré-Sorel, creator of the Aventurosaure series.
Photo : Julieparesorel.com
Families and young comic book fans won’t want to miss the meeting with Julien Paré-Sorel, creator of the series. Aventurosaure. At the Serge-Bouchard library, young and old are invited to immerse themselves in the Jurassic universe of its characters. An opportunity to discuss creation and learn more about the underside of Quebec comics.
Circus, eroticism and poetry evening
Intimate Circus offers an evening where eroticism meets poetry… and the circus. This mixture of sensuality, humor and acrobatics creates a unique show, in a cozy atmosphere at Club L. It is an invitation to explore the eroticism of words and gestures, a moment of poetry that flirts with provocation .
The Salon dans la ville continues until December 1st.
The Book Fair at the Palais des congrès de Montréal will take place from November 27 to December 1.
Full details are available online (New window).
